Innovation and the Use of Research Evidence in Youth-Serving Systems: A Mixed-Methods Study.

This study examined the use of research evidence (URE) in decisions to adopt evidence-based practices (EBPs) by 151 leaders of youthserving systems in California and Ohio. With some exceptions, demographic characteristics were not associated with URE, but leaders of child welfare agencies were more likely than leaders of other systems to ignore the research. Leaders consider other forms of evidence, including resources necessary and available to support EBPs, demand for research evidence, and personal experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]