12: Bringing it together Flashcards
(2 cards)
Evidence-Informed Practice
Evidence-informed practice (EIP) is an approach to decision-making that combines the best available research, professional expertise, and the preferences, values, and context of the person or group being supported. While originating in healthcare, EIP is now widely used across sectors such as education, human services, and community development. The goal is to ensure that actions are grounded in credible knowledge while remaining relevant to real-world settings.
High-quality research—such as systematic reviews, empirical studies, and program evaluations—provides a foundation for EIP. However, professionals also recognise the value of qualitative evidence, lived experience, and community feedback. In many contexts, constructivist approaches are used to give equal weight to local knowledge and cultural insight, particularly when formal research may be limited or culturally mismatched. EIP also relies on professional expertise—applying training, experience, and ethical reasoning to interpret and adapt research to the situation at hand. Crucially, EIP is person-centred. Interventions must align with the values and circumstances of the individual or community to be meaningful and effective, reinforcing trust and shared decision-making.
