Relativism and Perspective in Evidence-Based Reviews
 

Authors:

Barbara L. Wheeler, PhD, MT-BC, & Barbara A. Else, MPA, MT-BC, LCAT

Abstract:
This presentation, titled: Relativism and Perspective in Evidence-Based Reviews, focuses on the topic of standards of evidence in music therapy research and reviews. This work encompasses a descriptive overview of various approaches to evidence-based reviews to analyze differences and relativity of conclusions regarding strength of evidence in music therapy research. The questions of “what” and “when” findings from music therapy research constitute robust evidence are equivocal. The input factors to evidence-based reviews are variable to the extent that conclusions on the strength of evidence for the same topical question may vary dramatically.

Keywords:
evidence, systematic review, practice policy

Biographical details:
Barbara Wheeler directs the music therapy program at the University of Louisville.

She is editor of Music Therapy Research, 2^nd Edition, and coauthor of Clinical Training Guide for the Student Music Therapist. She is President Elect of AMTA and Interview Co-Editor for Voices.

Barbara Else, music therapist and research consultant, focuses on cross sector policy and economics. Her clinical work is in mental health, PTSD, and trauma recovery. She is P.I. on a grant examining the effects of music therapy interventions on re-integration among military families on deployment.