Critical Appraisal Institute for Librarians: Home

“Cultivating Confidence in Critical Appraisal” 

CAIFL 2025 will be held from

January 22 - March 21,2025

Registration for CAIFL 2025 is now open!

CAIFL is a fully online course that consists of: assessment; self-directed learning through video, readings, and problem sets; small group facilitated exercises; and plenary talks by physician and librarian experts in evidence based practice and critical appraisal. Participation in the course also enrolls you in a continued community of practice with journal clubs held throughout the year.

Goal: To develop librarian’s critical appraisal skills including enhanced understanding of research design, biomedical statistics, and clinical reasoning to apply knowledge in teaching target populations.

Objectives: At the end of the institute participants will be able to:

1. Describe and analyze study methodologies used in clinical research.
2. Define and critique biostatistical concepts used to report the results of clinical research studies.
3. Critically appraise biomedical articles including an understanding of the methodology, sources of bias, and the results.
4. Teach critical appraisal with increased confidence.

Prerequisite: Experience and some prior training in EBM fundamentals.

Requirements: At least two hours per week self-directed learning depending on familiarity with content. Participation in all 1.5 hour weekly small group facilitated sessions.

NOTE: Many participants indicate that they need much more than 2 hours per week to grasp the content fully. This course is a commitment.

Course Fee: $500 (required in advance to hold your seat, non-refundable)

For more information about this program, contact: Marie T. Ascher, M.S., M.P.H.  marie_ascher@nymc.edu