How can evidence informed practice

Explain our work - evidence helps us explain how we will achieve outcomes, why we have taken a particular approach or why we provide a particular service. Continuously learn and improve together — using and collating evidence helps us to continuously improve our services. We will learn from our programs, innovative pilots, research evidence and evaluations to improve our work.

How can evidence be used? In the TEI program, evidence can be used to: identify local priorities and understand client needs e. Was this content useful? Misconceptions can also present problems. Such a thing does not, of course, exist. Relevant FE research does exist, but its extent has been limited by short-term funding and other contextual factors.

Evidence as the basis of changes to our practice is fundamental: we all strive to be effective reflective practitioners. We must be careful though that in our embrace of evidence we do not become so close to it that we fail to see the bigger picture.

It is important to stress that we advocate practice being informed by evidence; we are not suggesting it is completely based on it. That is an important differentiation to grasp, because it is one that some misunderstand as a barrier. Another barrier to evidence informed practice is lack of time.

Pressures on practitioners often limit our inclination to innovate as well as to learn from the innovation of others. In terms of factors that enable and facilitate Evidence Informed Practice, as well as a supportive leadership culture, a supportive community context is also key.

The diversity of the FE sector means that it can be difficult for subject-based communities to develop. These collaborative cross-institution research projects harness ideas for improvement, provide the space needed to test them, and facilitate dissemination to the sector. As the body at the vanguard of professional development in the sector, it is incumbent upon the ETF to lead the way.

This means applying scientific principles of proof, reliability and ethical standards to ensure quality. This may include cognitive bias an inability to be objective that manifests in inaccurate judgement and confirmation bias a focus on evidence that fits our beliefs and disregards what does not.

For example, the lived experience of a child and their family accessing a service for a health issue. The inclusion of research in decision making helps balance professional and service user opinions, so that decisions are less biased. It can help design more effective programs and services, increase accountability and support funding sustainability.

There are eight common types of research evidence used in social and health care research. These are listed in Table 1, along with a short description. Each of these types of research can be useful as a source of evidence.

It is helpful to be aware that each type of evidence has strengths and limitations when used in context see the next short article in this series. To overcome any limitations, using different types of research in a complementary manner or synthesising existing research can be useful. An evidence-informed approach blends knowledge from research, practice and people experiencing the practice.

Understanding the strengths and limitations of research can facilitate its effective use as part of an evidence-informed approach to practice. It is helpful for practitioners to be familiar with the common types of research evidence to be able to critically assess the appropriateness to their work.

The second article in this series describes how to incorporate research into decision making and the practice relevant questions that can guide this process. How will you use the evidence or information in this short article in your work?

We would love to hear from you in the Comments field below. Baillie, L. Llahana, C. Follin, C. Grossman Eds. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

Blanchet, K. Using research evidence in the humanitarian sector: A practice guide. Boaz, A. What works now? Evidence-informed policy and practice. Bristol, UK: Policy Press.