Bringing Research Into Practice: An Evaluation of Michigan's Sexual Assault Kit

• NCJ Number: 249079
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 31 Issue: 8 Dated: May 2016 Pages: 1476-1500
• Author(s): Rebecca Campbell; Julia Hagastrom; Leslie O'Riley; Gail Kreiger; Debi Cain; Jeff Nye
• Date Published: May 2016
• Length: 25 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-VA-GX-0080
• Sponsoring Agency: Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)
• Publication Format: Article; Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Evaluation; Case Study
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes a researcher-practitioner partnership that was successful in using evaluation data to guide practice and policy decisions regarding the development and implementation of a new sexual assault kit for the State of Michigan.

Abstract

The importance of research-informed practice for the field of sexual assault has been emphasized by academics and practitioners alike; however, there are few examples of researcher-practitioner partnerships in the literature, therefore providing minimal guidance for this process. The example provided in this article used Cousins' practical participatory evaluation theory as the guiding framework for the evaluation. Data collection methods included focus groups with practitioners from five regionally dispersed health care settings in Michigan and surveys with forensic scientists throughout the State's regional laboratory system. This case study highlights how researchers and practitioners worked together for data collection, analysis, and dissemination to support research-informed practice in this State. Lessons learned and future recommendations for forming researcher-practitioner partnerships to improve the response to sexual assault are discussed. (Publisher abstract modified)