Functions, Utilities and Limitations: A Scoping Study of Decision Support Algorithms in Social Work

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This scoping study aims to provide an overview of the functions, utilities and limitations of applying “decision support algorithms” (DSAs) in different social work contexts.

Method

The study involves searching the Scopus and Web of Science databases, which results in the inclusion of 55 articles in the analysis.

Results

We find important differences in the functions, utilities and limitations of DSAs according to the choice of data, variables, technology and social work context.

Discussion

The reviewed literature indicates that social workers are rarely involved in developing DSAs. This seems to result in a limited innovation of DSAs that are capable of stimulating the reflection of social workers and thereby qualifying their decision-making process.

Conclusion

This study calls for further research on how to enhance interaction between social workers at the street level and system builders and managers at the system level in developing DSAs designed for reflection.

KEYWORDS:

• Social work
• decision support
• algorithm
• machine learning
• artificial intelligence

Acknowledgment

The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.