91615 Evaluating TCM: Theory, Practice and Research 2
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91607 Research Methods 1 (Acupuncture) OR 91614 Evaluating TCM: Theory, Practice and Research 1
Description
This subject builds on material provided in 91614 Evaluating TCM: Theory, Practice, Research 1. It enables the student to have a solid grasp of the research process in acupuncture and the health sciences, thereby encouraging the ability to be a lifelong learner. As such, it is an important foundation for students undertaking postgraduate studies. The subject also further develops learners' critical thinking skills and their ability to apply this to clinical practice environments and the relevant research literature. Students' interest is engaged and encouraged towards an understanding of the relevance of and need for research into the health professions, clinical practice, acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Together, 91614 Evaluating TCM: Theory, Practice, Research 1 and this subject provide an important foundation for students considering further development of their critical thinking skills through formalised learning pathways in honours, masters (by research) or doctorate research programs. Equally, the subjects provide students with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to engage in evidence-based approaches and evaluations of their own clinical practice and inquiry-oriented approach to clinical assessment and evaluation.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate appropriate communication skills in the form of oral presentations and written reports. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Critique and evaluate Chinese Medicine (CM) research studies with scientific rigour and be able to explain the bio-medical mechanisms of acupuncture and other CM modalities. |
| 3. | Interpret and apply the findings from CM research studies to provide evidenced based information to your patients and to other health care providers. |
| 4. | Recognise and reflect on the benefits of running an evidenced based practice. |
| 5. | Apply statistical knowledge to help choose appropriate statistical test and apply the steps involved during hypothesis testing. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Analyse: Evaluate and critically assess research from clinical trials to cultivate an informed, evidence-based approach to clinical practice. (2.2)
- Synthesise: Consolidate scientific evidence for impact, informing further inquiry and transitioning outcomes to inform and support community and health care practice. (2.3)
- Synthesise: Integrate methods of inquiry to derive data and reflect on information to adapt innovatively to different and changing industry. (4.3)
- Apply: Demonstrate a high level of writing, reading and speaking in English and an ability to engage constructively in conversation with health stakeholders, including community, other health disciplines, and policy makers. (5.1)
- Synthesise: Engage proactively with communication media, including social and online media platforms, to provide factual, evidence-based Chinese medicine disciplinary knowledge in support of quality health care delivery with patients, community, and other health disciplines. (5.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The faculty of Science lists six graduate attributes that you will develop during your course at UTS. This subject is intended to develop the following attributes:
1. Disciplinary knowledge
Evaluating TCM: Theory, Practice and Research 2 will further develop a solid knowledge base of the principles and processes in health science research which will be assessed in the in-class quizzes (assessment task 1) and also in the literature evaluation assignment (assessment task 2)
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
The importance of research literacy for Chinese Medicine practitioners cannot be overstated. The ability to provide evidence based information to patients and other health care providers is an essential skill for any Chinese Medicine practitioner to have. This graduate attribute is addressed through the critical evaluation and interpretation of data (assessment task 1) and the project (assessment task 2)
(a) Research skills, including database search, evaluating and reviewing published articles and reporting the findings, will be developed during the semester through the project (assessment task 2)
(b) Computing skills, including data processing, data analysis and graphical literacy are developed through various activities during the computer lab sessions
(c) Teamwork is developed as you work in groups during the practical computer lab sessions and also in your major assignment (assessment task 2 and 3)
(d) Ethics and professional conduct in science are learned through lectures where the consequences of plagiarism will be discussed. Your written reports (assessment task 2) will be tested for originality using plagiarism detection software
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
You will learn how to source good quality research articles. The subject provides the skills required to evaluate and interpret Chinese Medicine research studies and reflect on their findings in practice (assessment task 2)
5. Communication
Three essential skills for a health professional that are addressed are oral presentation skills, listening skills and written report preparation. These are assessed through the literature evaluation assignment (assessment task 2)
Teaching and learning strategies
The subject is divided into two strands: Evaluating Published Research Literature (EPRL) and Making sense of measurement (MSM). You will be introduced to both strands through a series of lectures and workshops, and related pre and post work.
Please note: that lectures and workshops are restructured to support social distancing as part of the response to the COVID19 pandemic and there might be variation in the noted schedule as the situation changes. However, all learning activites will be enriched with online collaborative tools to support your online learning.
Lectures
EPRL and MSM lecture notes will be available on Canvas at least one week before the timetabled session, and pre-reading must be done prior to attending classes. Attending lectures is crucial to a full understanding of the subject. The lectures are interactive where the lecturer will engage with you by frequently asking questions to see whether the concepts are being understood before moving on to the next. You are strongly encouraged to engage in discussions and asking questions to clarify any misunderstanding. To test your understanding of the concepts learned, you will to attempt three in-class quizzes (assessment task 1) scheduled at week 4, 8 and 12. In week 3, before your first test, you will be given a mock test (a shorter version of the real test). The aim of the mock test is to familiarise you with what to expect in the real tests. On the same day the lecturer will give you verbal feedback on your answers.
Computer workshops
The computer online session workshop sessions are divided into:
1. Making Sense of Measurement (MSM)
Data entry and statistical analysis skills are practised in the weekly computer labs and students apply the theories covered in the teaching sessions using the appropriate software (e.g. Excel and Vassarstats). The lecturer and tutors will assist you during the sessions.
2. Evaluating Published Research Literature (EPRL)
You will work in groups and individually to conduct research and complete your assignment Assessment task 2 – TCM Project (team work). You will be given the opportunity to work on this task as early as week 3 and will get the following support from the teaching staff: database search using OVID Medline (week 3), assisting you to find appropriate articles (week 5), approval of research articles (week 6), written report formatting (week 7), digital presentation examples (week 7) and assisting you with your written reports and presentations (week 8 and 9). The necessary skills and knowledge for this task will be learned during the lectures. Every week, you will work with your respective team to complete the following activities - database search, managing articles with Endnote, reviewing and summarising each article and preparing your digital presentation.
Oral presentation skill
In this subject, as part of the literature evaluation assignment (assessment task 3), your presentation skills will be assessed in week 12. The marking criteria for the presentation will be given to you in week 3. Preliminary presentations (not assessed) are scheduled in weeks 8 and 9 and everyone is strongly encouraged to participate. Feedback from the lecturer will be given after each presentation.
Written communication skill
In this subject, as part of the literature evaluation assignment (assessment task 3), each team of students will submit a written report at the end of week 12. The marking criteria, style of writing and proper referencing will be covered in week 3. Sample essays and reports can be found on Canvas.
Online and independent learning activities
Learning materials, including lecture notes, sample essays, sample digital presentations and educational videos, are available on Canvas and you must view them before coming to classes. In the program section of the subject outline, under ‘preparation for next week’, guidance for pre-work is provided.
Content (topics)
Evaluating Traditional Chinese Medicine 2 is designed to give extensive experience in identifying the characteristics between good and poor quality research design and reporting.
This subject minimises use of standard lecture/workshop/practical format and focuses upon the design, application and interpretation of research studies that are conducted throughout the semester.
Emphasis is placed on selection and use of appropriate methods, statistical tests, effective presentation, critical evaluation, reporting of findings and working together in a professional and cooperative manner.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: In-Class Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.2 and 2.3 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Approximately 45 minutes |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of answers |
Assessment task 2: TCM Project
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.2, 2.3, 5.1 and 5.3 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Written group report - 3000 words |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria are provided in writing to you during the session but will include correctness of expression and spelling, quality of content and critical thought. |
Assessment task 3: Critical Analysis and Reflection
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 2.3 and 4.3 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1500 words for part A and 500 for part B |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria are provided in writing to you during the session but will include correctness of expression and spelling, quality of content and critical thought. |
Required texts
There are NO set hard copy textbooks, lecture notes will be provided in class.
Recommended texts
Virtually any modern introductory psychology text includes a chapter about useful statistical principles and analyses and on experimental design.
Agresti, A. & Franlin, C. 2013, Statistics: The Art and Science of Learning from Data, 3rd edn, PEARSON, Boston.
Field, A. 2009, Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, 3rd edn, SAGE, London.
Kumar, R. 2005, Research Methodology: A Step-By-Step Guide for Beginners, 2nd edn, SAGE, Los Angeles.
Pallant, J. 2016, SPSS Survival Manual: a step-by-step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS, 6th edn, Allen & Unwin, Sydney.
Portney, L. and Watkins, M. 2009, Foundation of Clinical Research: Application to Practice, 3rd edn, Pearson Prentice Hall, New Jersey.