Leonard E. Gibbs Award

Leonard E. Gibbs Award

Full name: Leonard E. Gibbs Award for Outstanding Contribution to Evidence-Based Practice

Purpose: Encourage production of rigorous systematic reviews that can inform social welfare policy and practice.

Named in honour of: Dr Leonard E. Gibbs (1943 to 2008), Professor Emeritus of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He was an internationally recognised expert in the field of evidence-based practice (EBP) and a fervent proponent of EBP in the helping professions. His widow, Betsy McDougall-Gibbs, established this award through the Campbell Social Welfare Coordinating Group (SWCG).

Award Criteria

Award recipient: Authors of a completed Campbell systematic review that contributes to evidence-informed practice in social welfare.

Eligible reviews: All reviews published within the Campbell Social Welfare Group in the previous calendar year.

Award deferral: In the event that no new review has been approved in any calendar year, or if judges deem no review of sufficient merit, an award may be deferred for that year.

Selection Process

• Panel composition: No fewer than three qualified judges drawn from SWCG Editorial Board and other voting SWCG members with no conflict of interest
• Confidentiality: Judges' identities kept confidential until recipient announcement
• Judging criteria: Scientific merit, quality of written documents, and applicability to policy/practice
• Decision: Co-chairs tally results and announce winner

Recognition

• Commemorative plaque presented to review authors
• Public announcements on Campbell website and other outlets as available

Social Welfare Coordinating Group

Campbell Social Welfare Coordinating Group (SWCG) Editorial Board created this awards programme.