title: Research evidence utilization in policy development by child welfare administrators.
abstract: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted to explore how child welfare administrators use research evidence in decision-making. Content analysis revealed that a cultural shift toward evidence-based practice (EBP) is occurring in Canadian child welfare organizations and multiple types of evidence inform policy decisions. Barriers to using evidence include individual, organizational, and environmental factors. Facilitating factors include the development of internal champions and organizational cultures that value EBP. Integrating research into practice and policy decisions requires a multifaceted approach of creating organizational cultures that support research utilization and supporting senior bureaucrats to use research evidence in policy development.
authors.affiliation: McMaster University.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jack
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dobbins
authors.forename: Lil
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tonmyr
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dudding
authors.forename: Sandy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D016134:Organizational Policy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration*