https://hpu.libguides.com/socialwork

Contact ET @ etorres@hpu.edu

source: The University of Texas at Austin

Evidence-Based Practice Steps:

ASK - Convert the need for information into a focused question. Consider using the Client Oriented Practical Evidence Search (COPES) framework to develop your question and create potential key terms to search with.

ACQUIRE - Track down the best evidence with which to answer that question. Search in multiple databases objectively and effectively.

APPRAISE - Critically appraise the evidence for its validity, impact, and applicability. Keep track of the literature and also appraise and revise your search strategy.

ASK: Client Oriented Practical Evidence Search (COPES)

COPES stands for Client-Oriented Practical Evidence Search. The acronym comes from a the description of the process. COPES questions originate in daily practice. The client in this question can be an individual, or a group.

Client Oriented - Questions from daily practice, posed by practitioners, focused to client's welfare

Practical -Concern problems that arise frequently -Concern agency mission - Knowing answer could impact decision

Search Oriented - Specific enough to guide electronic evidence search

5 General Types of COPES Questions

Assessment question – Does a specific client system demonstrate an identified problem or strength? / Has a specific intervention been able to achieve the desired outcomes?
Description question – What are my clients experiences in a given situation? (Involves techniques such as client surveys and observation by practitioners)
Effectiveness question – How effective is an intervention in treating your clients?
Prevention question – How effective is an intervention in helping your clients to avoid a problem?
Risk question – What is the probability of a specific outcome or consequence in given situation?

ASK: Client Oriented Practical Evidence Search (COPES)

Identify Main Concepts of Your Research Topic

Dementia	Reality Orientation	Validation Therapy	Improve Family Care
Alzheimer's	ROT	Patient Control	Reduce Stress
Senile Dementia	Patient Education	Redirection Techniques	Quality of Life
Senile			Positive Effect in Behavior

After deciding on your topic and setting up a research question or hypothesis. What are the main concepts or variables that you want to focus and what alternative words and terminology can be used to describe them?

Main Concepts:

What would be a better for family providers/caregivers dealing with elder dementia, reality orientation therapy or validation therapy?

Example:

Research Tip: Keep a list of possible words to search & track what terms work and don't work.

Alternative Terms:

Client/Problem

Action/Solution

Alternative

Goal/Outcome

COPES Search Strategy Activity

https://tinyurl.com/swrk4960s23

ACQUIRE: Find the Best Evidence and Search Multiple Databases

Common Search Commands

Advanced Search

APPRAISE : Critically Appraise the Evidence

When browsing results, read the abstracts of articles to make a more informed decision about the article's potential. Don't judge an article by title only.

Filter Results by Type of Evidence