Building a Research Community to Bring Evidence into Practice: Case Study

Anne McGlade, Elaine Pollock, Lisa Bunting, Brian Taylor, Sonya McGuckin, Sonia Patton, Patricia Burns, Emily Wilson, Tricia Devlin, Andriana Alkiviadou

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This case study drawn from our collective experience in Northern Ireland presents a relatively unique approach that considers the role of wider contextual and organisational factors in supporting or inhibiting research into social work and social care practice. It has been written by members of the Building A Research Community Group (hereafter referred to as Research Community) established in 2019. The Research Community was built on the premise that partnership and co-production working between service delivery organisations, researchers and academia, and service users and carers is an essential underpinning to effective ‘practitioner research’, just as it is to the development of robust practitioner-relevant education and training. Using our experience over the last decade, we argue that bridging the gap between scientific evidence and practice requires leadership and the development of a supportive organisational culture that is receptive to learning and change. Highlighting both successes and challenges, along a journey spanning from 2014, we focus on the importance of developing a research strategy and realistic implementation plan accompanied by resource allocation. By sharing our journey in this case study, we hope that others across other geographical contexts can learn from our experience and are encouraged to share their own experiences.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3526-3537
Number of pages12
JournalThe British Journal of Social Work
Volume53
Issue number7
Early online date29 Apr 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 29 Apr 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We would like to acknowledge the contribution of all with the Building a Research Community who make the day-to-day work of the group possible.

Publisher Copyright:
# The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • evidence
  • network
  • organisational
  • partnership
  • research
  • social work

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