AH2S25 - Research Methods 01 Sep 2022 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: AH2S25
Module Title: Research Methods
Faculty: Faculty of Life Sciences and Education
Faculty Group: Allied Health and Chiropractic
Faculty Sub Group: Physiotherapy
Module Leader: Rhys Shorney
Module Team: Jonathon Duffin, Bethan Kent, Filipa Machado
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100252 - physiotherapy
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2022
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

To enable the student to evaluate Physiotherapy interventions by analysing and applying research, audit, and service evaluations findings to inform practice.

Content Summary

Topics explored in this module include:

Types of research methodology – Qualitative and quantitative
Research methodology.

Ethical considerations and procedures

Interpretation of research data including the relevance of meta-analysis and systematic review

Quantitative Statistics (Descriptives, Normality, Parametric and non-parametric statistical tests, power calculations and sample size, regression models, reliability).

Qualitative Research study design and purpose

Designing a research project: sampling, recruiting and running studies

The mechanisms for measuring the effectiveness of assessment and interventions.

Research methodologies including evaluating strengths and weaknesses, ethical considerations, study design and data analysis.

Debating the implications for practice where no research or conflicting research evidence exists.

Critically analysing strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative studies including ethical considerations and critical appraisal of a broad range of quantitative and qualitative research articles.

Applying research, audit, and service evaluation findings to inform practice.

The role of audit in monitoring and improving standards of care.

Exploring best local, national, and international evidence relevant to health, care, policy and Physiotherapy practice. Identifying how these may be used to improve services, care standards and policies.

Using evidence-based, best practice approaches. Working in partnership with clients, families and communities to recognise how these can be utilised to provide the best Physiotherapy practice.

Keeping up to date by accessing evidence-based information and policy, applying digital literacy and critical appraisal skills.

Understanding and critically reflecting on adverse incidents: reporting and lessons learned. Learning from mistakes and methodologies for learning to prevent recurrence.

Working with multi-professional groups to develop effective improvement strategies for quality and safety, sharing feedback and learning from positive and adverse outcomes and experiences.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 10
Tutorial 10
Practical classes and workshops 10
Independent Study 90
Directed Study 52
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 6
Formative Assessment - Independent 10
Problem / challenge based learning 12
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically analyse and apply research, audit, and service evaluation findings to inform quality improvement in physiotherapy practice.
LO2 Analyse and develop the ability to work effectively with multi-professional teams, service users or communities to adapt services to improve the integrated care experience.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Oral Assessment Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1 A presentation in relation to the planning and the application of research and audit outcomes to inform an aspect of subsequent service improvement. Aimed at enhancing the service users experience of physiotherapy practice. 30 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Oral Assessment (Internally assessed, Onsite) 1

Reading List

Ajetunmobi, O (2002) Making sense of critical appraisal. London: Arnold.

Bettany-Saltikov, J. (2016) How to do a systematic literature review in nursing: a step-by-step guide. Second edition. Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Boland, A. (2017) Doing a systematic review: a student’s guide. 2nd edition. London: SAGE.

Crombie, I. K. (1996) The pocket guide to critical appraisal: a handbook for health care professionals. London: BMJ.

Ghaye, T. and Lillyman, S. (2010) Reflection: Principles and practices for healthcare. 2nd edn. London: MA Healthcare Ltd.

Greenhalgh, T. (2019) How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare. 6th edition. Hoboken, NJ, USA: Wiley Blackwell.

Howlett, B., Shelton, T.G. and Rogo, E. (2021) Evidence Based Practice for Health Professionals: An interprofessional approach. 2nd edn. Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Jolley, J. (2020) Introducing Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals. 3rd edn. London: Routledge.

Kirkpatrick, L. A. and Feeney, B. C. (2014) A simple guide to IBM SPSS: for version 22.0. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Linsley, P., Kane, R. and Barker, J. (2019) Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. 4th edn. Los Angeles: Sage Publications Ltd.

Langweiler, M. J. and McCarthy, P. W. (eds) (2015) Methodologies for effectively assessing complementary and alternative medicine (CAM): research tools and techniques. London: Singing Dragon.

Pallant, J. (2020) SPSS survival manual: a step by step guide to data analysis using IBM SPSS. 7th edition. NSW: Allen & Unwin.

Pope, C. (2020) Qualitative research in health care. 4th edition. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell.

Robson, C. and McCartan, K. (2016) Real World Research: A resource for users of social research methods in applied settings. 4th edn. Chichester: Wiley.

Taylor, M.C. (2007) Evidence-Based Practice for Occupational Therapists. 2nd edn. Oxford: Blackwell.

Weberg, D. and Davidson, S. (eds.) (2021) Leadership for Evidence-Based Innovation in Nursing and Health Professions. 2nd edn. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

White, K.M., Dudley-Brown, S. and Terhaar, M.F. (eds.) (2021) Translation of Evidence into Nursing and Healthcare. 3rd edn. New York: Springer Publishing Company.