Evidence Based Practice in Social Work An Emerging Academic Discipline A systematic Review

January 2026 , Pages 274-290

Authors

Asst.L. Goran Hasan Hussein Hussein 1 ; Asst.L. Hassan Waisy Asmar Asmar 1

1 Department of Sociology / Salahaddin University

DOI logo 10.17656/jzsb.12057

Keywords

Abstract

Evidence-based practice is a new approach that has been used in medicine for years and its importance in social work dates back to the last decade of 20th century. The perspective emphasizes on the importance of using scientifically reliable evidence to make more effective practical decisions in social work, which increases the likelihood of success. The main goal of this approach is to include methods that can strengthen the link between theory and practice. On this basis, the main purpose of this research is to analyze several contemporary and practice-related researches in order to introduce the impact and obstacles of this new perspective in the field of social work. Social workers often draw on their own personal experiences, the experiences of others and experts in their work, especially in their treatments, strategies and decision-making processes, and refer less to contemporary evidence obtained through research. Therefore, we believe that these methods are not sufficient for accurate decision-making and case handling. The research relies on qualitative data, and the content analysis method is used to analyze the data and information. In this study, the researchers systematically reviewed the latest research in this area to identify common barriers to the practice of the EBP. In conclusion, researchers have found that there are several obstacles in the development of this model, including limited knowledge of social workers for evidence-based practice (EBP) and researcher doubts and anxieties about applying new research to everyday life and reality, as well as, lack of academic courses and training for social workers in the institution, lack of systematic documentation of cases, and limited access of social workers to scientific-academic resource and researches, furthermore, research-related barriers such as weaknesses in legitimacy and methodological reliability.

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  • First online31 January 2026
  • Published at31 January 2026

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