Evidence-based practice is traditionally defined as the integration of three basic principles: (1) the best available research evidence bearing on whether and why a treatment works; (2) clinical expertise to rapidly identify each participant's unique needs and their individual risks and benefits of potential interventions; and (3) client preferences and values.

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The following registries provide access to evidence-based practices in several fields:

 

• SAMHSA's Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center promotes the adoption of scientifically established behavioral health interventions.

• National Institute of Justice's Crime Solutions provides a central, reliable source to help you understand what works in justice-related programs and practices.

• The What Works Clearinghouse established by the U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences provides educators, policymakers, and the public with a central, independent, and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education.

• The Promising Practices Network web site highlights programs and practices that credible research indicates are effective in improving outcomes for children, youth, and families.

• Blueprints for Violence Prevention is a national violence prevention initiative to identify programs that are effective in reducing adolescent violent crime, aggression, delinquency, and substance abuse.

• The International Campbell Collaboration offers a registry of systematic reviews of evidence on the effects of interventions in the social, behavioral, and educational arenas. 

• Social Programs that Work offers a series of papers developed by the Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy on social programs that are backed by rigorous evidence of effectiveness.