Clinical Data-Mining (CDM) involves the conceptualization, extraction, analysis, and interpretation of available clinical data for practice knowledge-building, clinical decision-making and practitioner reflection. Depending upon the type of data mined, CDM can be qualitative or quantitative; it is generally retrospective, but may be meaningfully combined with original data collection.
Any research method that relies on the contents of case records or information systems data inevitably has limitations, but with proper safeguards these can be minimized. Among CDM's strengths however, are that it is unobtrusive, inexpensive, presents little risk to research subjects, and is ethically compatible with practitioner value commitments. When conducted by practitioners, CDM yields conceptual as well as data-driven insight into their own practice- and program-generated questions.
This pocket guide, from a seasoned practice-based researcher, covers all the basics of conducting practitioner-initiated CDM studies or CDM doctoral dissertations, drawing extensively on published CDM studies and completed CDM dissertations from multiple social work settings in the United States, Australia, Israel, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. In addition, it describes consulting principles for researchers interested in forging collaborative university-agency CDM partnerships, making it a practical tool for novice practitioner-researchers and veteran academic-researchers alike.
As such, this book is an exceptional guide both for professionals conducting practice-based research as well as for social work faculty seeking an evidence-informed approach to practice-research integration.
Industry Reviews
"This should be a useful source to social workers, doctoral students, and practitioners as well as allied health practitioners. It introduces the idea of CDM and the process of developing a CDM study."--Doody's
"It fills a much needed gap in the literature, not only on clinical data-mining, but also on practice research. Unlike so many other books on research, it offers a detailed explanation of the process of practice research and will be inspirational to both students and practitioners who wish to pursue this research path."--Lynette Joubert, Associate Professor of Social Work, University of Melbourne
"...a terrific contribution."--Chris Petr, Professor and PhD Director of Social Welfare, University of Kansas
"...a highly engaging bookwith interesting CDM research descriptions spanning widely varied clinical populations... I recommend that you read it and imagine the rich data that awaits harvest for CDM studies in your own context."--Reviewed by Claire O'Callaghan, PhD, University of Melbourne, Australia, in Nordic Journal of Music Therapy
"This book makes a serious and helpful contribution to the current debate on social work research. It also will be an asset to social work practice. In social work's seemingly interminable search for identity, Epstein's book describes a way in which social work's scientific side (research) and its professional side (practice) can and should be allies rather than combatants." --Journal of Teaching in Social Work
"...the book clearly achieves its goal and has the potential to attract a large number of researchminded practitioners who have heretofore shied away from initiating and carrying out research projects on their own practice. By doing so, Epstein clearly advances the promotion of practice-based research." --Social Work in Health Care
"...eschews jargon and terminology without sacrificing the ability to communicate rich and complex conceptsELall practitioners, and especially doctoral students, will do well to read this work to learn more about CDM as one of several methodological approaches available to them. It provides, in one place, a detailed road map of the territory through which many student-researchers struggle to navigate." --Perspectives on Social Work
"Clinical Data-Mining is a rigorous and sound exposition of a promising research approach and a warm and entertaining read. I will be recommending it to my research students, though I doubt they will believe my claims that a book called 'Clinical data mining' can make them laugh out loud." --The Bristish Journal of Social Work
"...engaging, with a warm and humorous personal touch that will be well received by many graduate students...a superb way to engage social workers in the research journey." --Dorothy Scott, Emeritus Professor, Australian Centre for Child Protection, University of South Australia
"Irwin Epstein's engaging little book, Clinical Data Mining: Integrating Practice and Research, is a user-friendly guidebook for social work researchers...I would encourage all research-practitioners to put a copy of Epstein's splendid book on their bookshelf." --Research on Social Work Practice
