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Research-based knowledge: researchers’ contribution to evidence-based practice and policy making in career guidance

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Abstract

To present evidence for the outcomes of career guidance is increasingly seen as pivotal for a further professionalization of policy making and service provision. This paper puts an emphasis on researchers’ contribution to evidence-based practice and policy making in career guidance. We argue for a broader and more pluralistic research strategy to meet the complexity of possible questions needed to be asked to provide evidence in career guidance. The article puts a specific focus on the need for a stronger involvement of the voice of users.

Résumé

Connaissance basée sur la recherche: La contribution de chercheurs aux pratiques fondées sur l’expérience et à l’élaboration de directives politiques pour le conseil en orientation. Présenter la preuve des résultats du conseil en orientation est de plus en plus perçu comme un pivot pour la poursuite de la professionnalisation de l’élaboration des politiques et de l’offre de prestations. Cet article met l’accent sur la contribution des chercheurs à une pratique fondée sur l’expérience, et à l’élaboration de directives politiques en orientation. Nous défendons une stratégie de recherche qui soit plus vaste et davantage pluraliste, dans le but de répondre à la complexité des questions possibles devant être adressées, afin de justifier le conseil en orientation. Les auteurs portent plus spécifiquement leur attention sur la nécessité d’une plus grande prise en considération de l’avis des utilisateurs et utilisatrices.

Zusammenfassung

Forschungsbasiertes Wissen: Beitrag von Wissenschaftlern zur evidenzbasierten Praxis und Richtliniengestaltung in der Laufbahnberatung. Die Präsentation von Nachweisen der Wirkung von Laufbahnberatung wird als entscheidend für die weitere Professionalisierung der Richtlinieneinführung und Dienstleistungsorientierung angesehen. Dieser Artikel betont den Beitrag der Forscher zu evidenzbasierter Praxis und Richtlinieneinführung in der Laufbahnberatung. Wir sprechen uns für eine erweitere und pluralistische Forschungsstrategie aus, um die Komplexität der möglichen Fragen zu berücksichtigen, die als Nachweis für den Nutzen von Laufbahnberatung gestellt werden müssen. Die Autoren legen einen besonderen Fokus auf die Notwendigkeit einer stärkeren Einbindung des Mitspracherechts und der Meinung der Klienten.

Resumen

Investigación basada en el conocimiento: La contribución de los investigadores a las prácticas y políticas sobre orientación profesional basadas en la evidencia. La presentación de la evidencia de los resultados de la orientación profesional se percibe cada vez más como un hecho fundamental que contribuye a una mayor profesionalización de la elaboración de políticas y prestación de servicios. Este artículo pone el énfasis en la contribución de los investigadores a las prácticas y las políticas de orientación laboral, basadas en la evidencia. Abogamos por una estrategia más amplia y plural de investigación para satisfacer la complejidad de las posibles preguntas que se han de preguntar para aportar rigor en la orientación profesional. Los autores ponen especial énfasis en la necesidad de una mayor participación de los usuarios.

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Correspondence to Erik Hagaseth Haug.

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Haug, E.H., Plant, P. Research-based knowledge: researchers’ contribution to evidence-based practice and policy making in career guidance. Int J Educ Vocat Guidance 16, 137–152 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10775-015-9294-6

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