Linking research and practice to address domestic and sexual violence: lessons learned from a statewide conference with researchers and practitioners
| Pages | 76-87 |
| Date | 13 April 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-07-2014-0129 |
| Published date | 13 April 2015 |
| Author | Christine Murray,Isabelle Ong,Paige Hall Smith,Tamarine Foreman,Whitney Akers,Paulina Flasch,Monika Johnson Hostler,Jennifer Przewoznik,Catherine Guerrero,Rachel Dooley |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Aggression, conflict & peace |
Linking research and practice to address
domestic and sexual violence: lessons
learned from a statewide conference with
researchers and practitioners
Christine Murray, Isabelle Ong, Paige Hall Smith, Tamarine Foreman, Whitney Akers,
Paulina Flasch, Monika Johnson Hostler, Jennifer Przewoznik, Catherine Guerrero and
Rachel Dooley
Abstract
Purpose – There is a growing emphasis on the need to integrate research and practice in the fields
of domestic and sexual violence. However, additional research is needed to identify strategies for key
stakeholders to use to bridge research and practice in these areas. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach – The current study analyzed qualitative data collected during a
statewide conference for researchers and practitioners whose work addresses domestic and/or sexual
violence.
Findings – The findings provide information about building effective researcher-practitioner collaborations,
developing methodologically sound studies that address practice-relevant research questions, and
identifying steps that funders, state coalitions, researchers, and practitioners can take to advance the
integration of research and practice.
Research limitations/implications – Additional research is needed to evaluate specific approaches to
better integrating research and practice related to domestic and sexual violence.
Practical implications – Researcher-practitioner collaborations offer numerous benefits to advancing
research and practice related to domestic and sexual violence. Additional guidance and tangible support is
needed to foster these collaborations.
Originality/value – This study used data collected during an innovative conference that brought together
researchers and practitioners. The data have implications for furthering the integration of research and
practice related to domestic and sexual violence.
Keywords Sexual violence, Domestic violence, Intimate partner violence, Research-practice gap,
Researcher-practitioner collaborations, Sexual assault
Paper type Research paper
There is a growing emphasis on the need to integrate research and practice in the fields of
domestic and sexual violence (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2014; Domestic Violence
Evidence Project, 2014). This impetus comes from many sources. First, service agencies are
increasingly required to demonstrate the true impact of their work and to use evidence-based
programs when serving clients (Auchter and Moore, 2013; Domestic Violence Evidence Project,
2014; Feder et al., 2011). Second, many practitioners recognize the intrinsic value of
understanding whether and how what they do works (Domestic Violence Evidence Project,
2014). Third,researchers often desireto conduct research that is relevantto practice and actively
engage with the communities touched by the issues they study, especially in line with growing
national trends for community-engaged, participatory research (Murray and Smith, 2009;
(Information about the authors
can be found at the end of this
article.)
PAGE 76
j
JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, CONFLICT AND PEACE RESEARCH
j
VOL. 7 NO. 2 2015, pp. 76-87, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1759-6599 DOI 10.1108/JACPR-07-2014-0129
To continue reading
Request your trial