A qualitative examination of current guidelines for evidence-based practice in child language intervention.
OBJECTIVE
The present investigation examines the time, effort, and resources that evidence-based practice (EBP) requires, and looks at what types of results are obtained.


METHODS
Principles of EBP as outlined by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association were applied to 3 treatment case studies.


RESULTS
The cases took between 3 and 7 hr to complete and yielded different amounts and types of results. Individual article searches yielded better results than did searches of systematic reviews. Most evidence found was from small-group and individual case studies.


CONCLUSIONS
EBP is a necessary part of effective and ethical treatment. The resources needed, time involved, and availability of relevant information make current guidelines for EBP challenging for most full-time practitioners. Specific recommendations to address these concerns are offered.
Brackenbury
Tim
T
Department of Communication Disorders, Bowling Green State University, 246 Health Center Building, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA. tbracke@bgnet.bgsu.edu
Burroughs
Elizabeth
E
Hewitt
Lynne E
LE
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D007808:Language Therapy / Q000379:methods*