Welcome to the Campbell Collaboration (C2) Social Welfare Coordinating Group
The SWCG produces systematic reviews on many topics related to social work and social welfare. Anyone can propose titles for a review, form a review team, and submit protocols for a C2 review to the SWCG or one of its review groups. These groups function much like peer-reviewed journals, obtaining anonymous critiques of protocols and completed reviews from substantive and methodological experts, and making editorial decisions. They also provide or arrange technical assistance for reviewers, especially on topics of information retrieval and meta-analysis.
What's New?
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SWCG Welcomes a New Coordinator
Trine Bak Nyby was appointed Coordinator of the SWCG on 11 Feb, 2008. Trine has worked at the Nordic Campbell Center since 2003. She has also been involved in projects to prevent antisocial behavior and alcohol use among youth, she served as a trainee for an NGO working in Malawi, and was co-founder of a regional center for UNICEF. Trine received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sociology from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark). The SWCG thanks the Nordic Campbell Center for hosting this position. Trine can be reached at: tbn@sfi.dk.
New Editor-in Training
Dr. William Turner joins the SW group as an Editor-in-Training. Dr. Turner is first author of the C2/Cochrane review “Behavioural and cognitive behavioural training interventions for assisting foster carers in the management of difficult behaviour,” with Geraldine Macdonald and Jane Dennis. Dr. Turner is a Lecturer at the Centre for Health and Social Care, School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol (UK). See: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/research/hsc/staff/turner.shtml
Contact:w.turner@bristol.ac.uk.
Upcoming Meetings for the Social Welfare Coordinating Group
The C2 Social Welfare group will meet at the next C2 Colloquium in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Details on the exact time and place to follow. The C2 Social Welfare group's Editorial Board will also meet during the Vancouver Colloquium (details to follow). For more information regarding the Colloquium, visit www.campbellcolloquium.org.Support for current reviews-in-progress
Authors of C2 Social Welfare reviews in progress (i.e., those with accepted titles) are invited to apply for in-kind and/or financial support from the Campbell Collaboration. Limited funds are available under C2's agreement with the Norwegian Knowledge Centre for Health Services. For details, contact Julia Littell at jlittell@brynmawr.edu.
Aron Shlonsky Elected as SWCG's New Co-Chair
Professor Aron Shlonsky (U of Toronto, Canada) has been elected to serve as Co-chair and Steering Group representative for the SW group for a three-year term beginning 1 February 2008.
SWCG Appoints New Members to its Editorial Board
The SW group happily announces the addition of three new members to its Editorial Board: Paul Montgomery (UK), Bruce Thyer (USA), and Joanne Yaffe (USA).Election Procedures and Membership in the SWCG
Each of the C2 Coordinating groups will elect at least two group Co-chairs and exactly two Steering Group representatives. The SG reps serve 3-year term limits that may be renewed (by re-election) once. Like most C2 groups, the SWCG has chosen to combine the Co-chairs/SG rep positions to ensure continuity. We will stagger the elections to ensure smooth transitions.
In the open meeting of the SWCG in London in May 2007, we discussed a variety of options for membership in the SWCG. Like other C2 groups, we now offer two ways for individuals to join the SWCG: as affiliates or members. At this time, there will be no dues (or any costs) associated with affiliation or membership. (Issues regarding organizational memberships will be considered at a later time.)
1. Affiliates. Anyone can become an affiliate of the SWCG. With the affiliate’s permission, his/her contact information will be shared with other affiliates and members. Affiliates will receive electronic newsletters from the SWCG and from C2. Affiliates may nominate individuals for elected positions within the SWCG, but do not have voting rights.
2. Members of the SWCG are individuals who have contributed to or are able and willing to make substantial contributions to the work of the SWCG. Examples include individuals who have co-authored a C2 review, served on the Editorial Board, served as a peer-reviewer for two or more C2 protocols and/or reviews, or held an official position in the SWCG (Trial Search Coordinator, Coordinator, Editor, or Co-chair). Members are essentially affiliates with voting rights.
The SWCG Coordinator maintains current contact information on SWCG affiliates and members. This includes a record of individual preferences for sharing contact information.
Please contact Trine Bak Nyby at tbn@sfi.dk if
1. you want to be an affiliate or member of the SWCG
2. you are already an affiliate/member and would like your contact information to be available to other affiliates and members
3. you wish to nominate someone for a position in the SWCG
Call for Editors
The SWCG wishes to expand its editorial base to include five or six editors, each with expertise in specific fields of social welfare practice. Once their training is complete, these editors might lead new review groups within C2 (whether in the SWCG or not). The SWCG will also expand its cadre of peer reviewers. Volunteers are welcome.
Solicitation of Reviews on Burning Topics
The SWCG will actively solicit systematic reviews. The Nordic Campbell Center and others have identified “burning topics” for systematic reviews in social welfare, and existing reviews that address those topics. The SWCG is inviting authors of previous reviews to consider “Campbellizing” their reviews. Since this usually involves making improvements in some aspects of the review process, the SWCG will explore sources of funding for these reviews. The SWCG will also issue a broad call for titles for systematic reviews in social welfare.
Get Involved!
- Identify topics for systematic reviews in social welfare
- Develop or join a systematic review team
- Organize a special interest group within the SWCG
- Join the SWCG editorial board
- Volunteer to hand search selected journals to find relevant studies for the SWCG Specialized Register
- Contribute to the organization and population of the Specialized Register
- Identify funding for systematic reviews
- Contact us to learn more!
The Social Welfare Group