Evidence v Gut Feeling

After the discussion I read our ‘Evidence Matters: Social Work Expertise in the Family Court’ publication. The handbook helped me to reflect on my learning and to check my understanding of the concepts that we discussed.

The Blabchat looked at the role of gut feeling, and our publication helped to crystallise some of my thoughts around this. Brechin and Sidell’s research (2001)* suggests that social workers draw on ‘different ways of knowing’, including experiential knowledge, theoretical knowledge and research evidence. I like this concept as it avoids one singular authoritative position, and sidesteps the patriarchal viewpoint of old school public service. Gut feeling then is part, but not all of what we draw upon.

Evidence-Based Practice aims to eliminate wrong and harmful interventions, but stand alone research isn’t enough, and can be problematic:

However, Evidence Informed Practice better reflects the complexity of the environments that we work in by bringing together evidence, practice wisdom and service user experience.

The handbook also shares Milner and O’Byrne’s five-stage definition of assessment*, which provides a useful template for how we might use data to move beyond gut feeling alone:

I love the concept of respectful uncertainty at the data collection stage. It emphasises that there’s no shame or blame in not knowing all the answers and that further exploration is a desirable thing, not a sign of weakness.

I’ve blogged before on how much I’ve learnt from Danielle Turney’s podcast on risks, rights and the role of the state, and one of her quotes feels particularly apt:

We need evidence to enable us to make informed decisions that affect people’s lives. As the handbook says, “Meaning well is not enough.”

*Brechin A and Sidell M (2000) ‘Ways of knowing’ in Gomm R and Davies C (eds), Using evidence in health and social care. London: Sage

*Milner J and O’Byrne P (2002) Assessment in Social Work. Basingstoke: Macmillan

*Popper K (1959) The logic of scientific discovery. Routledge

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