Research on Social Work Practice recent issues

The Notion of Causal Impact in Evidence-Based Social Work: An Introduction to the Special Issue on What Works?

Otto, H.-U., Ziegler, H. — 2008-06-05

Thoughts on the Use of Knowledge in Social Work Practice

Cnaan, R. A., Dichter, M. E. — 2008-06-05

The quest for making social work a discipline based entirely on empirical research findings is not new. In this article, the authors briefly review the field of social work in the United States during the past 100 years and discuss how the quest for the status of a profession forced the emphasis on empirical research. However, the authors claim that now and in the past, social work is a most complex field and that many of its basic ingredients are inherently difficult to study. They conclude this article, with a call for social work to continue stressing the "science" side by enhancing careful evidence-based practice, does not hamper the field from evolving and from practitioners using the "art" side of social care.

From Knowledge Production to Implementation: Research Challenges and Imperatives

Proctor, E. K., Rosen, A. — 2008-06-05

As evidence-based practice is increasingly accepted in social work, the challenges associated with its actual implementation become more apparent and pressing. This article identifies implementation as a critical issue for research; implementation itself must be better understood if evidence-based practices are to be used and resultant improvements to practice are to be realized. Social work needs to engage more fully in (a) service system research and (b) implementation research, each of which complements and has potential to extend the benefits of efficacy and effectiveness research. Service system research can enhance the fit of empirically supported treatments to the needs of real-world practice and thus facilitate their implementation. Implementation studies examine the acceptability of evidence-based interventions, the feasibility and likelihood of their sustained use, and the decision-support procedures that can help practitioners apply probabilistically based, empirically supported treatments to the individual case in real-world practice.

New Proposals for Generating and Exploiting Solution-Oriented Knowledge

Gredig, D., Sommerfeld, P. — 2008-06-05

The claim that professional social work should be based on scientific knowledge is many decades old with knowledge transfer usually moving in the direction from science to practice. The authors critique this model of knowledge transfer and support a hybrid one that places more of an emphasis on professional knowledge and action occurring in the real world. The authors particularly focus on the organizational contexts in which social work practice occurs in presenting a model of cooperative knowledge formation.

Practitioner Expertise in Evidence-Based Practice Decision Making

McCracken, S. G., Marsh, J. C. — 2008-06-05

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an orientation to practice that values evidence as a resource for clinical decision making while recognizing that evidence alone is never sufficient to make a clinical decision. Critics of EBP typically ignore, negate, or misrepresent the role of practitioner thinking processes and expertise in clinical settings. The authors believe that, far from being a mechanistic process that ignores practitioner expertise, reflection and critical thinking are essential to implementing EBP in real-world clinical practice. The purpose of this article is to provide guidance for how practitioners bring their expertise to bear when engaging in the process of EBP. The authors use a social work practice scenario to illustrate the application of practitioner expertise in each of the five steps of EBP.

Applying Randomized Controlled Trials and Systematic Reviews in Social Work Research

Soydan, H. — 2008-06-05

This article elaborates on the centrality of interventions for social work practice and the importance of understanding the effects of interventions for a more efficient, harmless, transparent, and ethical social work practice. Low-bias research designs and meta-analyses are important means of generating the best possible evidence on what works in social work practice. An evidence-based practice model is promising in terms of translating and implementing scientific evidence that is uncertain, volatile, and incomplete and might be difficult to access.

Developing Evidence-Based Child Protection Practice: A View From Germany

Kindler, H. — 2008-06-05

The child welfare system in Germany has been described as family service-oriented because families in need are entitled to request family support services. If there is any form of child maltreatment, there may be some kind of mandatory state intervention to protect the child. Using trends in the number of children affected by maltreatment, the rate of maltreated children noted by the child protection system, and safety, permanency, and well-being of children after a maltreatment report as outcome indicators, there are hardly any data on the effectiveness of the German child protection system. Moreover, there are no studies examining the validity of risk assessment procedures or the effects of different interventions in child protection cases. However the situation is changing, with international research becoming more accessible, and with the publication of more relevant studies.

Implementing Evidence-Based Social Work Practice

Mullen, E. J., Bledsoe, S. E., Bellamy, J. L. — 2008-06-05

Recently, social work has been influenced by new forms of practice that hold promise for bringing practice and research together to strengthen the scientific knowledge base supporting social work intervention. The most recent new practice framework is evidence-based practice. However, although evidence-based practice has many qualities that might attract social workers to adopt it, use in practice is limited. Accordingly, attention is being given to determine effective strategies for the dissemination, adoption, and implementation of evidence-based practice. This article examines the implementation literature, describes alternative strategies for implementation of evidence-based practice in social work, describes an implementation study to illustrate concepts discussed, and specifies needed research.

The Quest for Evidence-Based Practice?: We Are All Positivists!

Thyer, B. A. — 2008-06-05

Throughout the history of professional social work in the United States, the field has embraced a positivistic view of science, a view continuing to be held by the mainstream of the profession. All social workers, to some extent, embrace the fundamental tenets of positivism. However, the rhetoric espousing positivistic science has not been matched by corresponding actions on the part of our professional associations. The rise of the evidence-based practice movement provides the field with a wonderful opportunity to dramatically increase the extent to which professional activities in the realms of policy and practice can be more solidly grounded in scientific research. Several specific suggestions are provided to enhance the linkages between science and social work, so that we can move forward in the quest of evidence-based practice.

Evaluating the Use of Reflective Counseling Group Supervision for Military Counselors in Taiwan

Jen der Pan, P., Deng, L.-Y. F., Tsai, S.-L. — 2008-06-05

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of reflective counseling group supervision (RCGS) for military counselors. A convenience sampling method is adopted. Twenty-two military counselors participate in this study. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods are used for collecting and analyzing data. The results support our hypothesis that participants who received the RCGS would show a significant increase in their counseling competences. Four primary categories related to supervisory style, supervisory alliance, self-assessment, and supervising outcomes emerge as prominent and consistent from participants' learning experiences. RCGS can be an effective supervision model for participants. Implications of the findings for group supervision and further research are discussed.

Book Review: Forte, J. A. (2007). Human Behavior and the Social Environment: Models, Metaphors, and Maps for Applying Theoretical Perspectives to Practice. Belmont, CA: Thomson. (512 pp., $64.99 paperback, ISBN 0-495-00659-9)

Taylor, S. — 2008-06-05

Practitioners' Guides to the Social Work Research Literature: Announcing a New Series and a Call for Papers

Thyer, B. A. — 2008-06-05

An Invitation to Join the Research on Social Work Practice Editorial Board

2008-06-05

Research on Social Work Practice Editorial Policy

2008-06-05

A Large Sample Investigation of Batterer Intervention Program Attrition: Evaluating the Impact of State Program Standards

Buttell, F. P., Carney, M. M. — 2008-04-04

Objective: The purpose of this study was to (a) investigate differences in demographic and psychological variables between treatment completers and dropouts among abusive men entering a court-mandated treatment program and (b) evaluate the goodness of fit of a logistic regression model for predicting attrition developed on a 16-week program by applying that model to the 26-week program. Method: The study employed a secondary analysis of 1,702 men, 850 completers and 852 dropouts, randomly selected from a larger pool of 3,595 men in court-ordered treatment. Results: Analysis indicated that few of the demographic and psychological variables differentiated between completers and dropouts. A logistic regression model for the 26-week program was developed that correctly predicted treatment completion for 60% of the sample and that employed some of the same predictor variables as the 16-week model. Conclusion: Implications for predicting attrition using logistic regression models for enhancing retention rates were explored and discussed.

The Effectiveness of Aftercare Services for African American Families in an Intensive Family Preservation Program

Nelson, K. E., Nash, J. K. — 2008-04-04

Objective: This project tested the effectiveness of extended aftercare in an intensive family preservation program for African American families. Method: Service providers collected pretest and posttest data for 49 families who received intensive services only and 69 who received aftercare in addition to intensive services. Results: In the year following termination, nonrelative placements for the entire sample were reduced to 20.3% from 41.5% in the year prior to receiving services ( p < .01). Families receiving aftercare had a postservice placement rate of 13.0% (p < .05). Services were less effective with caregivers with criminal involvement or mental health issues. Discussion: Significant reductions in re-referrals for neglect (p < .01) and improvement in factors contributing to child well-being (p < .01) indicate that child safety was not compromised by providing in-home services as an alternative to placement.

Group Therapy for Children After Homicide and Violence: A Pilot Study

Salloum, A. — 2008-04-04

Objective: This pilot study evaluated a group intervention designed to reduce posttraumatic stress among children after homicide and/or violence. Method: Employing a secondary data analysis of 117 participants in 21 group interventions, pretest and posttest differences in posttraumatic stress levels and between child witnesses and nonwitnesses, males and females, and younger and older children were conducted. Results: Analyses indicate a significant decrease in posttraumatic stress postintervention and no pretest differences between proximity status and gender and developmental status, although results suggest child witnesses and older girls do not fare as well. Conclusion: This intervention may be effective for children after homicide and violence; however, treatment effect needs to be strengthened, and additional research is needed. Modifications to the intervention are suggested.

Propensity Score Matching Strategies for Evaluating the Success of Child and Family Service Programs

Barth, R. P., Shenyang Guo, , McCrae, J. S. — 2008-04-04

This article presents propensity score matching as a method to implement randomized conditions to analyze service effects using nonexperimental data. Most social work research is challenged to implement randomized clinical trials, whereas administrative and survey data are often available and can provide valuable information about services received under naturalistic conditions. This article discusses the assumptions of this method and the analytic steps involved; and it presents three examples of the approach, demonstrating that it is possible to approximate the conditions of a randomized controlled trial, and when selection bias is reduced, investigators can have more confidence in their findings.

A Preliminary Evaluation of an Abstinence-Oriented Empowerment Program for Public School Youth

Abel, E. M., Greco, M. — 2008-04-04

Objective: This article describes the process and outcomes of an abstinence-orientated empowerment program that was delivered to an adolescent multicultural population. Method: The study employed a time-limited pretest—posttest OXO design with an N of 130 drawn from youth in public schools from fifth grade to ninth grade. A paired-samples t test was utilized. Effect size was calculated using Cohen's d. Results: Statistically significant differences between the pre- and posttest scores of the treatment group were found for all study variables. Effect sizes were small. Conclusions: Outcomes suggest that a psychoeducational approach that is based on a developmental assets model may be a desirable strategy for those working to help teens to reduce high-risk behaviors.

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of an Abbreviated Social Support Instrument: The MOS-SSS

Gjesfjeld, C. D., Greeno, C. G., Kim, K. H. — 2008-04-04

Objective: Confirm the factor structure of the original 18-item Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS) as well as two abbreviated versions in a sample of mothers with a child in mental health treatment. Method: The factor structure, internal consistency, and concurrent validity of the MOS-SSS were assessed using a convenience sample of 330 mothers. Results: A 12-item version that included subscales and a 4-item version maintained a good fit. Conclusion: 12- and 4-item versions of the MOS-SSS are psychometrically sound social support instruments and are appropriate for clinical and research uses. Given the diverse populations that social work serves, confirming instruments in various samples is important to legitimize an instrument's use and advance the evidence base for support interventions.

The Compassion Fatigue Scale: Its Use With Social Workers Following Urban Disaster

Adams, R. E., Figley, C. R., Boscarino, J. A. — 2008-04-04

Objective: The present study has two goals: to assess the difference between secondary trauma and job burnout and to examine the utility of secondary trauma in predicting psychological distress. Method: The data come from a survey of social workers (N = 236) living in New York City 20 months following the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC). Results: Social workers'involvement in WTC recovery efforts is related to secondary trauma but not burnout. Analyses also reveal that both secondary trauma and burnout are related to psychological distress after controlling for other risk factors. Conclusion: This study supports the importance of compassion fatigue as a risk factor for social workers counseling traumatized clients and its association with psychological problems.

The Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders Scale: The Development of a Psychometric Assessment Instrument

Church, W. T., Wakeman, E. E., Miller, S. L., Clements, C. B., Fei Sun, — 2008-04-04

Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the nature of individual attitudes toward sex offenders. Because the term "sex offender" tends to evoke strong emotions, and given that open-ended self reports tend to be highly subjective, particularly in the context of such pointed terminology, this study sought to develop an attitude assessment tool that addresses specific domains found in the literature. Methods: Through a number of iterations, the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders Scale was developed. Results: Exploratory and subsequent confirmatory factor analyses found a four-factor, 18-item version to best represent the domains of interest. Factor and item characteristics are reported. Conclusions: Replication and extension to other populations appears warranted.

Book Review: Gambrill, E. (2006). Social Work Practice: A Critical Thinker's Guide (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. (838 pp., $79.95 hb, ISBN 0-19-517342-2)

Byrnes, E. C. — 2008-04-04

Book Review: Mullaly, B. (2006). The New Structural Social Work: Ideology, Theory, Practice. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. (408 pp., {pound}19.99 hardcover, IBSN 0-19-541906-5)

King, M. — 2008-04-04

Book Review: Armour, M. P., Bain, B., & Rubio, R. (2007). Educating for Cultural Competency: Tools For Training Field Instructors. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education. (136 pp., $21.95 paperback, ISBN 0872931226)

Skinner, J. — 2008-04-04

Practitioners' Guides to the Social Work Research Literature: Announcing a New Series and a Call for Papers

Thyer, B. A. — 2008-04-04

A Meta-Analysis of Father Involvement in Parent Training

Lundahl, B. W., Tollefson, D., Risser, H., Lovejoy, M. C. — 2008-01-28

Objective: Investigate (a) whether including fathers in parent training enhances outcomes and (b) whether mothers and fathers benefit equally from parent training. Method: Using traditional meta-analysis methodology, 26 studies that could answer the research questions were identified and meta-analyzed. Results: Studies that included fathers, compared with those that did not, reported significantly more positive changes in children's behavior and desirable parenting practices, but not in perceptions toward parenting. Compared with mothers, fathers reported fewer desirable gains from parent training. Conclusions: Fathers should not be excluded from parent training and should be encouraged to attend. Further research should seek to understand how parent-training programs might better meet the needs of fathers.

Examining the Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Meta-Analysis

Kim, J. S. — 2008-01-28

Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT). Method: Hierarchical linear modeling software was used to synthesize the primary studies to calculate an overall effect size estimate and test for between-study variability. Results: Solution-focused brief therapy demonstrated small but positive treatment effects favoring SFBT group on the outcome measures (d = 0.13 to 0.26). Only the magnitude of the effect for internalizing behavior problems was statistically significant at the p < .05 level, thereby indicating that the treatment effect for SFBT group is different than the control group. Conclusions: This study allows social workers interested in solution-focused brief therapy to examine the empirical evidence quickly and with more definitive information.

Problem-Solving Therapy for Depression in Adults: A Systematic Review

Gellis, Z. D., Kenaley, B. — 2008-01-28

Objectives: This article presents a systematic review of the evidence on problem-solving therapy (PST) for depressive disorders in noninstitutionalized adults. Method: Intervention studies using randomized controlled designs are included and methodological quality is assessed using a standard set of criteria from the Cochrane Collaborative Review Initiative. Results: Twenty-two studies investigating PST for adult depression are compiled and examined. Studies differ in scope and methodological rigor. Sample sizes vary widely; all study outcomes include depression measures; problems in masking of group assignment and randomization are noted. Conclusions: Mixed evidence for PST as a depression treatment is found. The combined use of PST and antidepressant treatment has more favorable outcomes compared with PST alone for social work practice.

The Impact of Short-Term Counseling at a Domestic Violence Shelter

McNamara, J. R., Tamanini, K., Pelletier-Walker, S. — 2008-01-28

Objective: Women who received counseling at a domestic violence shelter were evaluated with several measures to determine the impact of the services they received. Method: A pretest and posttest design using clinical measures for life functioning and coping ability along with posttest-only measures of satisfaction and helpfulness of service were used to assess the outcomes of their counseling and other social work services at the agency. Results: Significant improvement on clinical measures of life functioning as well as coping ability along with a sense of being helped and satisfied with the social work services received are noted. Conclusions: Counseling along with a supportive agency milieu prove beneficial to women seeking services for partner abuse. Limitations of this study are also noted.

Promoting Effective Interviewing of Sexually Abused Children: A Pilot Study

Cheung, M. — 2008-01-28

Objective: This study is centered on interviewing techniques with alleged child sexual abuse victims who do and do not disclose sexual abuse. Method: Ninety randomly selected videotapes are reviewed, and the interviewing techniques are recorded on a 69-item Child Sexual Abuse Interviewing Skills Instrument. Results: The nondisclosure children are younger and more likely to be males than females. The discriminant analysis of the instrument indicate the use of more "what and how" questions in disclosure cases, whereas more closing questions are used in nondisclosure cases. Conclusions: Interviewers should maintain an attitude that additional information can be obtained from other sources, which will help the interviewer demonstrate patience and understanding, rather than leading the child to disclosure or false allegation.

Using Cumulative Risk to Screen for Mental Health Problems in Child Welfare

McCrae, J. S., Barth, R. P. — 2008-01-28

Objective: This study tests the hypothesis that information typically collected during a maltreatment investigation can be used to screen children for mental health problems. Method: Data are from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. Cumulative risk scores were created for 3,022 children and compared to reports of clinical-level problems using standardized measures. Bivariate, multivariate, and sensitivity analyses were used. Results: Cumulative risk showed 73% sensitivity to identify children with mental health concerns and 52% specificity to identify children without such concerns. Comparatively, child welfare worker indications showed 48% sensitivity and 78% specificity. Conclusions: Investigative information could serve the dual purpose of screening children for mental health problems, having the potential for benefit and cost avoidance.

Book Review: Glicken, M. D. (2007). Social Work in the 21st Century: An Introduction to Social Welfare, Social Issues, and the Profession. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. (512 pp., $64.95 hardback, ISBN 9781412913164)

Carr, J. L. — 2008-01-28

Book Review: van Wormer, K., Besthorn, F. H., & Keefe, T. (2007). Human Behavior and the Social Environment, Macro Level: Groups, Communities, and Organizations. New York: Oxford University Press. (352 pp., $35.00 pb, ISBN 978-0-19-518754-0)

Snyder, C. — 2008-01-28

Book Review: Gambrill, E. (2006). Critical Thinking in Clinical Practice: Improving the Quality of Judgments and Decisions (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley. (630 pp., $55.00 hardcover, ISBN 978-0-471-471189)

Howard, M. O. — 2008-01-28

Book Review: Murray, C. (2006). In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State. Washington, DC: American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research. (214 pp., $20.00 hardback, ISBN 0-8447-4223-6)

Radey, M. — 2008-01-28

Practitioners' Guides to the Social Work Research Literature: Announcing a New Series and a Call for Papers

Thyer, B. A. — 2008-01-28

Research on Social Work Practice Announces a call for papers related to the theme of African American Males

2008-01-28

Erratum

2008-01-16

Feasibility Study of the Social Enterprise Intervention With Homeless Youth

Ferguson, K. M., Xie, B. — 2007-12-10

Objective: To reduce mental health symptoms and high-risk behaviors and increase social support and service utilization among street-living youth, the authors conducted a pilot study to assess the feasibility of the social enterprise intervention (SEI) at a homeless youth agency. Method: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 16 street-living youth from the agency. SEI participants received 7 months of vocational and small business training and service referrals. A comparison sample of 12 agency youth was used. Results: Findings from independent sample t tests demonstrate that SEI participants displayed significant improvements at 9 months in life satisfaction, family contact, peer support, and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that the SEI was feasible within the agency setting and associated with higher mental health and social outcomes.

The Use of Propensity Scores as a Matching Strategy

John, L., Wright, R., Duku, E. K., Willms, J. D. — 2007-12-10

Objectives: This study reports on the concept and method of linear propensity scores used to obtain a comparison group from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth to assess the effects of a longitudinal, structured arts program for Canadian youth (aged 9 to 15 years) from low-income, multicultural communities. Method: This study compares 183 children in a community arts project to 183 children from a national longitudinal survey using propensity score matching. The variables included baseline scores of child-rated conduct problems, indirect aggression, emotional problems, self-esteem, and prosocial behavior and child gender, person most knowledgeable (PMK) education, PMK marital status, household income, and family functioning. Results: Mean score comparison showed that the groups were very similar on all covariates. Conclusions: Propensity score matching offers an alternative to true randomization that is cost-effective and convenient, particularly important for social work research in community-based organizations with a limited budget.

Market-Based Disparities in Foster Care Service Provision

McBeath, B., Meezan, W. — 2007-12-10

Objective: This study examines in-agency and out-of-agency service provision to a sample of 243 foster children and their families. Method: Data come from a longitudinal study of 243 foster children and families served by non-profit agencies that were operating under either a performance-based, managed care purchase-of-service contract or a fee-for-service reimbursement mechanism. Results: Children and families served by agencies with performance-based, managed care contracts receive fewer of three of five types of services than those served by agencies reimbursed through fee-for-service contracts. Conclusions: Results suggest that performance-based, managed care contracting is related to suppressed service provision and may lead to service disparities between foster children and families served under different market environments.

The Evaluation Self-Efficacy Scale for Assessing Progress Toward CSWE Accreditation Related Objectives: A Replication

Holden, G., Barker, K., Rosenberg, G., Onghena, P. — 2007-12-10

Objective: The Evaluation Self-Efficacy Scale (ESE) is being developed as an outcomes assessment instrument for social work courses focusing on evaluation. Method: This scale, based on social cognitive theory, was pretested, revised, and then used with a final sample of 85 master's-level students in the original study. Using a single-group, pretest-posttest retrospective design, the current study (N = 111) is a direct replication of the original ESE study. Results: In this replication, Cronbach's alphas for the ESE were .95 (pretest), .95 (posttest), and .96 (retrospective pretest). Evidence for the construct validity of the ESE is obtained. Conclusion: The results provide additional evidence supporting the psychometric properties of data obtained using the ESE, suggesting that it may be appropriate for use in educational outcomes assessment in general and accreditation-related research in particular.

Initial Reliability and Validity of the Perceived Social Competence Scale

Anderson-Butcher, D., Iachini, A. L., Amorose, A. J. — 2007-12-10

Objective: This study describes the development and validation of a perceived social competence scale that social workers can easily use to assess children's and youth's social competence. Method: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on a calibration and a cross-validation sample of youth. Predictive validity was also established. Results: A four-item measure, labeled the Perceived Social Competence Scale (PSCS), demonstrated acceptable internal consistency and factorial validity in samples of children and youth participating in youth development programs. Additionally, tests for gender invariance indicated that the PSCS worked equally well for males and females. The PSCS also demonstrated predictive validity, correlating positively with perceived belonging. Conclusion: Support was found for the PSCS as an empirically sound tool to assess children and youth's perceptions of social competence.

Assessing a Self-Report Health Measure for Non-English-Speaking Elders: Issues in Using the SF-36 Health Survey

Jordan-Marsh, M., Cody, M., Silverstein, M., Chin, S.-Y., Garcia, R. — 2007-12-10

Objective: Approved versions of the SF-36 Version 1.0 are used for limited-English-speaking individuals whose primary languages are Korean, Chinese, and Spanish to test the respective translations for use among immigrants to the United States. Method: Surveys are completed by an older adult and a nominated adult family caregiver (N = 132). Results: Adequate internal consistency and validity are found for Chinese and Spanish with the exception of the Social Functioning (Spanish) and Vitality (Chinese) Scales. The Korean version has reliability and validity issues. Comparisons are made with English language norms and studies that use translations in Spanish and Chinese. No comparative data for Korean Americans are found. Recommendations are made for reading reports of and using SF-36 translations. Conclusion: Paying attention to options in use of translations of the SF-36 in Chinese and Spanish improves the relevance of findings to research and practice.

Suggestions to Improve Social Work Journal Editorial and Peer-Review Processes: The San Antonio Response to the Miami Statement

Holden, G., Thyer, B. A., Baer, J., Delva, J., Dulmus, C. N., Shanks, T. W. — 2007-12-10

Interest in and concern about scholarly communications through social work journals seem to have increased recently. One indicator of this concern was the publication of the Miami statement. A Society for Social Work and Research Presidential Task Force was created to continue work on these issues. This article discusses the work of one subcommittee of that task force. This subcommittee developed a set of suggestions pertaining to the processes of submitting social work manuscripts to journals and to the system of editorial review and processing. The authors view these suggestions as expanding on the Miami statement.

The National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services: A Program Description

Collins-Camargo, C., Ensign, K., Flaherty, C. — 2007-12-10

Quality improvement centers were created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau beginning in 2001 to promote knowledge development through an innovative approach to applied collaborative research in child welfare. The National Quality Improvement Center on the Privatization of Child Welfare Services was funded to assess the current status of privatization, conduct a knowledge gaps analysis, fund and conduct cross-site evaluation of research and demonstration projects, promote the expansion of the evidence base, and facilitate ongoing dialogue among child welfare administrators, policy makers, researchers, and practitioners regarding public/private partnership in-service provision. The article discusses the impetus and empirical foundation for the creation of the center, provides an overview of the purpose and approach being taken, and describes its knowledge development initiatives. Additionally, a brief contextual history of child welfare privatization is provided, along with key content findings from the recently completed needs assessment.

Book Review: The True Hypocrites Witkin, S. L., & Saleebey, D. (Eds.). (2007). Social work dialogues. Alexandria, VA: Council on Social Work Education

Epstein, W. M. — 2007-12-10

Book Review: Mincy, R. B. (Ed.). (2006). Black males left behind. Washington, DC: The Urban Institute Press. (326 pp., $29.50 paperback, ISBN 00877667276)

Kindle, P. A. — 2007-12-10

Practitioners' Guides to the Social Work Research Literature: Announcing a New Series and a Call for Papers

Thyer, B. A. — 2007-12-10