Graduate Research Methods

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces the principles of research methods and provides examples of their application in clinical physiotherapy research and practice. There will be emphasis on the techniques required for the critical evaluation of all aspects of published research relevant to the physiotherapy profession. The use of quantitative statistical analysis techniques will also be discussed.

On completion of the subject, students will have developed the following skills:

• an understanding of research design principles, reliability and validity
• a capacity to undertake searching of computerised medical literature databases
• an understanding of basic statistical techniques and some familiarity with SPSS software
• an ability to critically analyse published research
• skills in written scientific communication
• skills in participation in class discussion of the above concepts

Written assignment, critical evaluation of a journal article 2,000 words: (65%)

Mid-semester Class Quizzes covering lecture content (3 quizzes X 30 minutes): (35%)

• Jekel JF, Katz DL, Elmore JG & Wild DMG (2007): Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine, 3rd edition. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier
• Portney LG & Watkins MP (2008): Foundations of Clinical Research: Applications to Practice, 3rd edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson/Prentice Hall

• Herbert R, Jamtvedt G, Mead J & Hagen KB (2006): Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy. London: Butterworth Heinemann

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• Skills in written scientific communication.
• Skills in oral communication and contribution to class discussion.
• An ability to critically analyse published research.

Specific Skills:

On completion of this subject students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

• A capacity to undertake searching of computerised medical literature databases.
• An understanding of research design principles, reliability and validity.
• An understanding of basic statistical techniques and some familiarity with SPSS.