Discuss the criticisms of evidence based practice.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Wampold, et al. (2007) suggested caution in using and interpreting evidence-based practice information. The caution centers on the view that not enough is known to suggest that there is evidence that can be used to guide practice. The authors point out that one may miss the importance of the subjective experience of counseling or therapy. Counseling has been called an art, and losing subjectivity of the experience may interfere with this aspect of the process (Nystul, 1999). Wampold, et al. (2007) pointed out that the evidence in psychology and counseling is not unambiguous: “Evidence is not data, nor is it truth”. Several important questions arise with these criticisms. One question is, how much of the subjective aspect of counseling and/or education should be part of the practice? Professions have been identified and defined in terms of having a basis of knowledge (Weikel & Palmo, 1996). Despite the practices of counseling and education having a subjective component, both fields need to substantiate their practices on a basis of knowledge, and specifically a research basis. Another question is, what level or amount of evidence is needed to use evidence-based research in practice? What has been suggested is to select the best available evidence and use it, but most important, evaluate the impact or effect.