Research at the IHD
Overview
At the Institute for Human Development (IHD), we have whole-heartedly embraced evidence-based practice as a decision-making framework that involves the conscientious integration of the best available evidence, professional judgment and clinical expertise, and client values, preferences, and context. To facilitate communication among disability professionals, we refer to treatments, interventions, and programs that meet specific criteria for research support as empirically supported interventions (known in some disciplines as empirically supported treatments). It should be noted that our definition of best available evidence extends beyond the high evidence standards used to establish empirically supported interventions. Our concept of best available evidence includes the available evidence in the absence of the best evidence. This means practitioners are encouraged to consider the evidence that is available so that some degree of research evidence can always be considered together with professional judgment and client values, preferences, and context to make clinical decisions.
The IHD has an outstanding team of researchers who are also expert practitioners in the disability disciplines of medicine, psychology, speech-language pathology, and education. This team is actively engaged in innovative research that has direct implications for disability-related practice. We aim to narrow the research-to-practice gap through active dissemination of research recommendations using practitioner-friendly formats. Our goal is to support organizations and practitioners in:
- understanding evidence-based practice as a decision-making framework
- selecting interventions with the best available research
- integrating clinical expertise and client values and preferences
Featured projects Accordion Closed
MoEdu-SAIL
MoEdu-SAIL is an online source of professional development materials and resources for Missouri school districts and the statewide system of support. Educators and professional development providers can access the educator-learning materials.
Missouri Model Districts
Missouri Model Districts (MMD) is an opportunity offered to selected districts in an effort to advance and sustain effective educational practices. Using a district-level approach, the project integrates effective academic and behavioral practices into a framework for achieving exceptional student outcomes. MMD formally began with the 2017 – 2018 school year. Additional districts have been invited for the 2018 – 2019 school year, with a combined total of over 70 districts currently participating.
Labs Accordion Closed
GDRLL – Genetics and Developmental Disabilities Research Lab
Bridge Brief: a research-to-practice resource Accordion Closed
- Briefs emphasize how the results of the featured study extend the current best available evidence.
- Briefs highlight how the results can be integrated with professional judgment and client values, preferences, and context to make clinical decisions.
- Sign up to be on the dissemination email list.
Conference
Undergraduate research
Interested in Undergraduate Research? Connect here with University College- Undergraduate Research and be first to receive announcements about opportunities and resources.
Contact Institute for Human Development
University research
The university’s division of research offers more resources for researchers and research partnes