Teaching Critical Appraisal of the Social Work Literature

Abstract

Teaching students and practitioners how to read the social work research literature for application to social work practice is a challenge. However, the research appraisal skills can be taught. Currently there are no critical appraisal models in social work education that consider the diverse nature of social work practice and examine the range of research appraoches and methodologies utilized in the social work research literature. A problem-based, modular course that identifies the appraisal questions for all aspects of a research article-literature review, research design, methods, etc.-and takes into account the author's perspective and approach, a range of research methodologies, and the level or type or social work practice is described.