96086 Research Design in Physiotherapy
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96084 Sub-acute Rehabilitation AND 96085 Outpatient Rehabilitation AND 96088 Acute Physiotherapy Care
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject introduces the skills necessary to consume knowledge from published research and conduct a research project. Students learn how to effectively search and appraise research findings that inform their clinical practice. They gain an understanding of the research process with a focus on clinical research, by exploration of the scientific method including research design and methodology, ethical practice, and statistical analysis. The course covers key research methodologies important for evidence-based practice. Students are allocated a group, a research question, and a supervisor. Students identify relevant background information for the project by performing a review of the scientific literature, present a research proposal pertaining to the research question. Some student projects may require students to undertake specialised training (e.g. in laboratory techniques), outside of timetabled hours for the subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 19. | Provide an evidence-based justification for intervention selection |
|---|---|
| 39. | Maintain professionalism in verbal and written communication |
| 44. | Educate physiotherapists and other health professionals including students |
| 57. | Lead others effectively and efficiently within relevant professional, ethical and legal frameworks |
| 59. | Locate scholarly literature relevant to a given topic |
| 60. | Critique selected research |
| 61. | Formulate a research question |
| 62. | Undertake a review of the literature related to a research question |
| 63. | Select a research methodology relevant to a given research question |
| 64. | Present a research proposal addressing a gap in the literature |
| 65. | Construct an ethics application for a research project |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Critical thinker: Critically analyse the evidence underpinning practice and effectively apply new knowledge to practice; conduct and disseminate high-quality research to improve professional knowledge and influence direction of future practice. (02.05)
- Research-enabled: Apply scientific research skills to advance the evidence base supporting physiotherapy practice. (02.09)
- Professional and ethical practitioner: Embody the physiotherapy profession, demonstrating globally relevant ethical and professional behaviour and social accountability, while utilising deliberate critical analysis, self-reflection and self-awareness to constantly improve practice. (03.04)
- Communication: Communicate effectively using high-level interpersonal skills in both traditional modes of communication and when integrating advances in technology and methods of intervention delivery into patient care. (03.06)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Research-enabled
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy effectively integrate research evidence into practice, are proactive in identifying gaps in knowledge and are competent to undertake research to advance the evidence base and inform future physiotherapy practice.
Professionally Competent
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy embody professional and ethical practice, maintaining knowledge and competence at local and global standards. Graduates embrace opportunities for leadership and advanced roles, utilise deliberate practice to optimise physiotherapy care and advocate for the profession in interdisciplinary contexts.
Teaching and learning strategies
Prep work
Prep work is undertaken prior to masterclasses and workshops. Prep work can include watching a video, reading a blog entry/website/textbook chapter/journal article/magazine article and/or listening to a podcast/video/interview. Questions often accompany the prep work so students read with intent which encourage deep reading. Content covered in prep work is strongly linked to content covered in masterclasses and workshops. Please ensure prep work is carried out so that you have spent some time accessing and making sense of ideas. Attending the masterclasses and workshops will allow you to test these ideas and get feedback from your teachers and peers which will further consolidate your learning. Your knowledge and understanding of the prep work will be tested and applied using quizzes, group discussions and practical activities in masterclasses and workshops.
Masterclasses
Masterclasses are conducted in groups of 60 or more. There is usually a presentation of content by the teacher followed by activities which build on the prep work and the content presented. These activities are varied and require students to work alone, work in pairs or work in groups of 3 or more. Examples of these activities include short quizzes, group discussions, and using critical appraisal tools. Group discussions often involve comparing and contrasting an issue or answering a question based on case studies or the content topic. All activities are facilitated by the teacher. Feedback is provided by the teacher where there is discrepancy in the knowledge and understanding of the content or disagreement in opinions between groups. Feedback can also be provided by peers.
Workshops
Workshops are conducted in groups of 15-35. Workshop activities are varied and often require students to work in pairs or work in their research project groups. Workshops may provide an opportunity to work on aspects of the research project while under academic supervision (e.g. completing sections of the ethics application, writing literature review), facilitating immediate feedback.
Content (topics)
96086 Research Design in Physiotherapy builds on knowledge gained in 96084 Sub-acute Rehabilitation, AND 96085 Outpatient Rehabilitation AND 96088 Acute Physiotherapy Care. The subject meets course aims by providing students with a fundamental understanding of evidenced-based practice and experience with conducting physiotherapy research. This subject gives students the skills to critique the literature, identify evidence for best clinical practice, understand research ethics, gain important research experience, and compose a research proposal.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Article Appraisal
| Intent: | This individual assessment task will give students the opportunity to understand recently published research, and demonstrate critical appraisal and communication skills. The assessment will follow the format of the PEDro World Wide Journal Club. (https://pedro.org.au/english/learn/journal-club/) Graduate Attributes: Research-enabled, professionally competent |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 19, 39, 44, 59 and 60 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 02.05, 02.09, 03.04 and 03.06 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | 5 minutes (maximum) + 250 word strengths and limitations summary and a link to 5 key resources. (refer to Canvas for details). |
| Criteria: | Please refer to marking criteria on Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Research Proposal Presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of their research project in a formal proposal presentation. The assessment project is a group task, and a SPARK assessment must be completed. Graduate Attributes: Research-enabled, professionally competent |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 39, 60, 61, 62, 63 and 64 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 02.05, 02.09, 03.04 and 03.06 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 17 minute presentation with 7-10 min questions |
| Criteria: | Please refer to marking criteria on Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Research Project Protocol Registration
| Intent: | Pre-registration of research is a fundamental part of the scientific process. This assessment task gives students the opportunity to pre-register their research prior to embarking on data collection and data analysis of their research projects. Students will work collaboratively to prepare the protocol, without the input of their supervisors. Graduate Attributes: Professionally competent, culturally competent, research enabled |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 39, 57, 61, 62, 63 and 65 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 02.05, 02.09, 03.04 and 03.06 |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 1500 words (maximum) |
| Criteria: | Availble in Canvas. |
Assessment task 4: Online Quiz
| Intent: | This individual assessment task will give students the opportunity to consolidate their understanding of the key research designs important for physiotherapy research. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 19, 60 and 63 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 02.05, 02.09, 03.04 and 03.06 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | 5 x 30 minutes (max) |
| Criteria: | Please refer to marking criteria on Canvas for each quiz. Quizzes will be due on Friday of week 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, you are required to:
- complete all assessments items,
- achieve an overall grade of ≥ 50.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Recommended texts
Hoffmann T, Bennett S and Del Mar C (2013) Evidence-Based Practice across the Health Professions (2nd ed). NSW: Churchill Livingstone.
Herbert R, Jamtvedt G, Hagen KB and Mead J (2011) Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy (2nd edition). NSW: Churchill Livingstone.
Hurley W, Denegar C, Hertel (2011) Research Methods, A Framework for Evidence-based clinical practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Other resources
Cochrane (2016) Cochrane Library [Online]. Available at: http://www.cochranelibrary.com/ [Accessed 11 March 2016]
PEDro (2016) Physiotherapy Evidence Database [Online]. Available at: http://www.pedro.org.au/ [Accessed 11 March 2016]