Gentle-Genitty, Caroline S.Gregory, Jr., Virgil LeePfahler, CoreyThomas, MistyLewis, LisaCampbell, KimBallard, KathyCompton, KathyDaley, James G.2025-03-272025-03-272007Gentle-Genitty, C. S., Gregory, V., Pfahler, C., Thomas, M., Lewis, L., Campbell, K., Ballard, K., Compton, K., & Daley, J. G. (2007). A Critical Review of Theory in Social Work Journals: A Replication Study. Advances in Social Work, 8(1) https://doi.org/10.18060/132https://hdl.handle.net/1805/46623The purpose of this paper is multifold. Key aspects discussed include exploring the extent of theory discussion and progression in social work journals for the year2004; discussing the necessity of theory in social work research and practice; reviewing previous research literature regarding evaluation of theory discussion and progression; proposing criteria for defining theory in social work journals; and presenting findings from the current study concerning theory discussion and progression in social work journals. Results: Of the 1,168 articles reviewed from 37 journals, 71(approximately 6%) met the criteria for theory development with empirical base. Thus, a minimal number of articles (3 out of 71 or 4.2%) evaluated, based on the criteria in the theory quality scale (Table 1), received high quality ratings. Conclusion: Based on the results yielded by the analysis, we assert that social workers need to make a conscious effort to include theory in practice decisions.en-USTheorySocial work theoryEmpirical assessment of theorySocial work practiceTheory progressionHuman behaviorSocial workArticle