Critically appraising articles is vital to evaluating best practice for your population. There are many resources and checklists that can be used to critically appraise for clinical significance such as these CASP Checklists.
Common questions to ask when critically appraising an article:
In addition to appraising the research methodology and quality of the article, social workers should also consider the clinical application to their individual client and client population. Below are some questions to ask before, while, and after reading articles.
During reading
These databases are either solely evidence-based or at least allow for limiting to evidence-based articles.
For more evidence-based websites see the following lists:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has proven to be the most effective form of treatment for social anxiety disorder. This revision of a highly regarded treatment manual presents an original treatment approach that includes specifically designed interventions to strengthen the relevant CBT strategies.
This book offers a practitioner's guide to evidence-based practice in working with psychotic patients in an outpatient setting by clinicians and scholars who are internationally recognized for their work in treating severe psychopathology.
This highly accessible evaluation text encourages students to evaluate their practice from multiple points of view, without the use of statistics. It encourages the client's active participation in evaluation by asking: "Are these the results you wanted in resolving your concern?" and builds on single-case design.
The knowledge and skills of critical thinking, evidence-based practice, problem solving, judgment, and decision making are essential to effectively serve clients in all types of clinical practices. This book teaches clinicians and students how to avoid fallacies and biases in thinking as well as the skills to make well-informed, ethical decisions.
A Guide to Treatments That Work offers detailed chapters that review the latest research on pharmacological and psychosocial treatments that work for the full range of psychiatric and psychological disorders, written in most instances by clinical psychologists and psychiatrists who have been major contributors to that literature.
Written by a proven author and top scholar in research methods, Practitioner's Guide to Using Research for Evidence-Based Practice gives essential and practical guidance on how to integrate research appraisal into evidence-based practice endeavors to ensure best client care.