Building Evidence-Based Advocacy in Cyberspace

Abstract

The conduct of advocacy is critical to the accomplishment of the mission of professional social work. Unfortunately, traditional advocacy practice is rarely based on any real evidence attesting to its effectiveness. This leaves advocates almost completely dependent on practice wisdom. As we move toward advocacy practice in virtual environments, we are faced with new opportunities to build evidence-based advocacy practice. This paper provides a discussion about how this end might be accomplished and offers suggestions about developing evidence-based practice in cyberspace. The major issues are discussed, problems are identified and strategies for overcoming those problems are developed. The paper provides a foundation for subsequent work in developing evidence-based electronic advocacy.

Key Words:

• Electronic Internet
• advocacy
• accountability
• evidence-based practice