Paper long abstract:

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) shows how problems that sts consider vital: connections of science and practice, an influence politics has on social development, durability of positivist model of science in postmodern world, rationality of science and politics are not separate problems and should be considered together as interchanging domains.

EBP is defined in many ways, as an approach, current, process, theory or method. Its essence lies in using the best scientific evidence in making decisions at the area of public service professional work (healthcare, social services, social politics). EBP is based on The Five Steps strategy: formulating a practical question, searching the best evidence, appraising the evidence thus gathered, applying the results, evaluate outcome.

EBP is a consequence of changes that have taken place for the last 20 years in public sectors of most OECD countries. A philosophy of lean management and New Public Management are a ground of these changes. According to the followers, EBP is a perfect tool for achieving aims of this philosophy.

Spreading of EBP caused (and still does) a lot of criticism. It chiefly concerns using of positivist model of science as an assumption and convictions connected with this model, like: applying of scientific researches to understanding and diagnosing of problems results in better practical effectiveness in different areas of social life; or: social workers, teachers, politicians are rational subjects (that is, act according to classical and determinist decision theory).