The 508(c)(1)(a) New Millennium Faith-Based Initiative
The 508(c)(1)(a) New Millennium Faith-Based Initiative
The 508(c)(1)(a) New Millennium Faith-Based Initiative
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effective was it? Were there unintended side-effects? Who benefitted most? Who was<br />
harmed? Why did it work or not work? What lessons can be applied to other contexts,<br />
or if the program was scaled up? How cost-effective was the program? How does it<br />
compare to other programs designed to accomplish similar goals?"<br />
After randomized evaluations have been conducted on test interventions and have<br />
answered these chief questions, the results can be utilized by program designers and<br />
program implementers. <strong>Based</strong> on the research and considerations of context,<br />
policymakers can decide which interventions are best to scale up. Evidence-based<br />
social interventions maximize positive social outcomes and ensure that policies and<br />
programs are effective rather than harmful to the target population. Foreign aid<br />
interventions illustrate the necessity of both of these goals. For generations, the debate<br />
on foreign aid has been wrought with controversy, mostly because evidence has not<br />
been developed or analyzed to assess impact. For example, Duflo notes that we do not<br />
know whether Africa would be better off now if we had given more aid or less aid since<br />
1970. Without supporting evidence, implementation of policies and interventions can<br />
be a waste of resources or worse, exacerbate social problems.<br />
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an interdisciplinary approach to clinical practic that<br />
has been gaining ground following its formal introduction in 1992. It started in medicine<br />
as evidence-based medicine (EBM) and spread to other fields such as dentistry,<br />
nursing, psychology, education, library and information science. Its basic principles are<br />
that 1) all practical decisions should be made based upon research studies and 2) that<br />
these research studies are to be selected and interpreted according to some specific<br />
norms characteristic for EBP. Typically such norms disregard both theoretical and<br />
qualitative studies and consider quantitative studies according to a narrow set of criteria<br />
of what counts as evidence. If such a narrow set of methodological criteria are not<br />
applied, it is considered better just to speak instead of research based practice.<br />
Evidence-based behavioral practice (EBBP) "entails making decisions about how to<br />
promote health or provide care by integrating the best available evidence with<br />
practitioner expertise and other resources, and with the characteristics, state, needs,<br />
values and preferences of those who will be affected. This is done in a manner that is<br />
compatible with the environmental and organizational context. Evidence is research<br />
findings derived from the systematic collection of data through observation and<br />
experiment and the formulation of questions and testing of hypotheses".<br />
Empirically supported treatments (ESTs) in some clinical settings are defined as "clearly<br />
specified psychological treatments shown to be efficacious in controlled research with a<br />
delineated population"<br />
Social Policy<br />
<strong>The</strong>re are increasing demands for the whole range of social policy and other decisions<br />
and programs run by government and the NGO sector to be based on sound evidence<br />
as to their effectiveness. This has seen an increased emphasis on the use of a wide<br />
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