>> [Typing sounds] An
interagency work group has been
convened to use evidence
to make a decision
about implementing a sexual
violence prevention strategy
in their county that
strengthens social, emotional,
and behavioral skills
of high-risk youth
and provides support
to their parents.
The website for Blueprints
for Violence Prevention--
a project of the Center for the
Study and Prevention of Violence
at the University of
Colorado was a good place
to start looking for the best
available research evidence.
This website included a number
of evidence-based youth
violence prevention programs
but did not offer many
programs focused specifically
on sexual violence prevention.
The TA team then directed the
work group towards the research
literature and found
two potential programs
that had been studied and
showed promising results
for addressing sexual violence.
Best available research
evidence and the continuum
of evidence of effectiveness.
The purpose of the continuum
is to present a clear set
of standards on best available
research evidence for the field
of violence prevention, provide
information for decision-making
and provide a common language
for understanding the best
available research evidence.
The continuum is designed
to be used as a tool
to help researchers,
practitioners,
and policymakers better
understand best available
research evidence and why
this evidence is important.
The continuum is not a tool
for classifying violence
prevention programs
such as attaching
an overarching label
to a program such as supported.
For example, a program may have
a quasi experimental research
design but offer no
implementation guidance.
In this example, the research
design and internal validity
of this program would
be considered supported,
but its implementation
guidance would be undetermined.
[music] Overview of best
available research evidence.
Best available research evidence
has been the primary form
of evidence used in most
science based fields including
public health.
The strength of the
research evidence varies
across different fields
and topic areas and not all
of the dimensions we
covered have been considered.
It is important to note how the
strength of the evidence varies
across each dimension
of the continuum.
It is also important to
consider other factors
that influence evidence-based
decision-making
such as contextual and
experiential factors.