According to Michael J. Austin, PhD, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare, it is sometimes difficult to implement evidenced-based research without an evidence-based environment in social service agencies. He recommends an agency newsletter on relevant research, addressing research at agency meetings, creating a research library and establishing a committee to integrate evidence-based research into practice.
Evidence-based research is extremely beneficial when it comes to new areas of social work practice such as online counseling. As noted by The Leavitt Institute for Marriage and Family and the International Society for Mental Health Online, studies reveal that email counseling is just as effective as in-person therapy. E-counseling is a relatively new field that is validated by this kind of research.
Evidence-based research has its limitations. It typically measures or assesses tangible micro-level issues or concerns whereas a macro-level subject such as "large-scale social change efforts to ameliorate racism/discrimination" might take years to assess accurately. Because social work practice is so complex, it often calls for individualized services and qualitative research may be more important to social workers than quantitative research for understanding clients and their needs.
Research that adds to social work knowledge and improves clinical practice is an important contribution to the profession. However, it is just as important to effectively disseminate and implement the research findings. The Social Work educational curriculum should focus on training new social workers in the dissemination and implementation of the evidence-based research including dialogue and activities with local and state state policymakers regarding community-based funding for implementing evidence-based treatment.