Doctoral Research on Social Work Practice: A Proposed Agenda

Abstract

This paper discusses various issues relevant to direct practice and/or clinical dissertations in social work. Specific requirements for such dissertations are proposed, including the suggestions that the research have direct applications for the improvement of practice methods and that dissertations in social work should be distinguished from those in related areas. Issues related to the role of supervisory faculty and curriculum needs are also explored. The authors express a decided preference for experimental outcome studies which evaluate the efficacy of social work interventions, and propose a national research agenda among social work doctoral programs to foster such research.