Year
2024Credit points
10Campus offering
Prerequisites
PHTY103 Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 2
Teaching organisation
150 hours of focused learningUnit rationale, description and aim
The use of best evidence is a critical component of physiotherapy clinical practice. In year 1 students were introduced to the principles of evidenced-based practice. In this unit key concepts in quantitative and qualitative research are introduced such as research design, data analyses including statistical analyses, and the importance of reliability, internal and external validity. Students will further develop their skills of scientific writing and oral presentation, database searching to identify research literature and using referencing systems. Basic competencies in critically evaluating literature will be developed including appraising the methodology, analysis, results and discussion sections of a paper. Students will also consider the implications of research findings for physiotherapy practice. The overall aim for the unit is to prepare students for the application of evidence-based practice in subsequent academic and clinical practice units.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
| Learning Outcome Number | Learning Outcome Description | Relevant Graduate Capabilities |
|---|---|---|
| LO1 | Access and search databases and other resources to identify appropriate literature | GC2, GC9, GC10 |
| LO2 | Describe, discuss and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research methodologies including designs, and data analyses | GC2, GC7 |
| LO3 | Critically appraise the literature | GC7, GC11, GC12 |
| LO4 | Apply an evidence-based approach to decision-making for physiotherapy practice | GC2, GC7, GC8, GC12 |
Content
Topics will include:
Research
- Research designs
- Quantitative and qualitative studies
- Internal and external validity and reliability
Statistics
- Descriptive and inferential statistics
- Thematic analysis
- Performing statistical analyses
- Interpreting statistical analyses
Evidence-based practice
- Formulating a research/clinical question
- Database searching
- Critical appraisal of the literature including interventions, diagnosis, prognosis and qualitative studies
- Interpreting and applying information to physiotherapy practice
- Scientific writing
- Referencing systems
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit involves 150 hours of learning with a combination of face-to-face, online and other directed independent learning activities.
The theoretical knowledge underpinning understanding, critiquing and applying the findings of research will be delivered via lectures. Tutorial and practical classes provide students with the opportunity to consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge through the use of case scenarios.
Students will be expected to take responsibility for their learning and to participate actively within group activities, demonstrating respect for the individual as an independent learner.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks align with the presentation of the content in this unit of study. This unit takes an authentic assessment approach allowing students to demonstrate their learning and competency for evaluating and applying the findings of the literature as relevant to physiotherapy practice. Assessment task 1 (written examination) is designed for students to demonstrate the acquisition of knowledge as a foundation for the subsequent assessment tasks. For Assessment task 2 students are required to integrate the skills of data base searching, critical appraisal and interpretation of research findings of research relevant to physiotherapy practice in a written form. Feedback from this task will prepare students for Assessment task 3 where they will be required to demonstrate their ability to critically appraise and interpret research relevant to physiotherapy practice in more depth in a verbal form.
Overview of assessments
| Brief Description of Kind and Purpose of Assessment Tasks | Weighting | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
Assessment task 1: Mid-semester written examination Enables students to demonstrate their understanding of research methodologies and designs, and data analyses. 1.5 hrs | 25% | LO2, LO3 |
Assessment task 2: Answering a clinical question Enables students to locate, critique, and interpret and discuss the implications of the findings of, a research paper relevant to physiotherapy practice. Assignment | 30% | LO1, LO3, LO4 |
Assessment task 3: Critical appraisal of a research paper Enables students to critique and interpret and discuss the implications of the findings of literature relevant to physiotherapy practice. Viva | 45% | LO3, LO4 |
Representative texts and references
Herbert, R., Jamtvedt, G., Hagen, K. B., & Mead, J. (2011). Practical evidence-based physiotherapy (2nd ed.). Sydney: Churchill Livingstone.
Carter, R.E., & Lubinsky, J. (2016). Rehabilitation research: principles and applications (5th ed.) St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Saunders
Heiman, G. (2011) Basic statistics for the behavioral sciences (6th ed.). Belmone, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage
Hickson, M. (2008). Research handbook for health care professionals (1st ed.). Wiley.
Hulley, S., & Cummings, S. (2007). Designing clinical research (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins.
Nayer, S., & Stanley, M. (2014). Qualitative research methodologies for occupational science and therapy. Routledge.
Polgar, S., & Thomas, S. (2008). Introduction to research in the health sciences (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Porter, S. (2008). First steps in research: A pocketbook for healthcare students. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Portney, L. G., & Watkins, M. P. (2009). Foundations of clinical research: Applications to practice (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall Health.