Practitioners’ use of single system evaluation: Is the glass half full or half empty?

Abstract

This study describes the results of a survey on the use of clinical evaluation principles and procedures among social work practitioners. As part of the second‐year research curriculum in their master's degree program, these practitioners had been involved in a year‐long course and project experience in single system methodology as applied to non‐behavioral practice. Findings support the effectiveness of this research experience in helping graduates engage in practice evaluation procedures. They used SSD procedures with an average of 74% of their cases. The procedures most frequently used included operationalizing problems and goals, involving the client in monitoring change over time, and recording goals in the case record. In addition, the majority of respondents identified the impact of the course on their ability to conceptualize practice activities and to communicate their thinking about a case more effectively to colleagues. The implications of these findings for current methods of teaching single system methodology are described.

Notes

Kathleen Hannigan Millstein is Assistant Professor, Joseph M. Regan is Professor and Dean, and Helen Z. Reinherz is Professor and Chair of the Doctoral Program at the Simmons College School of Social Work.