Physiotherapy: Evidence Based Practice Research - Part 1

General Information

In this practical research subject and its companion subject, students will learn how to undertake research to inform evidence-based physiotherapy practice. They will learn by engaging in the planning, conduct and reporting of a collaborative program of research relevant to physiotherapy practice. This collaborative program of research will encompass a comprehensive and rigorous review of relevant literature and an applied research project. The outputs from these research activities will reflect the range of research outputs commonly required of practitioner-researchers and evidence-based practitioners. Project concepts and ongoing support and guidance will be provided by supervisors with combined expertise and experience in research and in the respective area of physiotherapy practice. Emphasis will be on identification and critical synthesis of available evidence, ethical conduct of rigorous research, professional teamwork and collaboration, and high-quality reporting and dissemination of research findings, to inform physiotherapy practice. 

  • Academic unit: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine
    Subject code: PHTY72-419
    Subject title: Physiotherapy: Evidence Based Practice Research - Part 1
    Subject level: Postgraduate
    Semester/Year: May 2024
    Credit points: 20.000
  • Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable
    Delivery mode: Intensive
    Workload items:
    • Group Learning: x18 (Total hours: 72) - Group Project Workshops allow students to work on research project activities that contribute towards the completion of assessment items. These may be undertaken as a large group, individually and/or as part of a research project team. Allocated time will also involve opportunities to meet with Research Project Supervisors and industry partners when appropriate.
    • Group Learning: x6 (Total hours: 6) - Active learning will be facilitated through face-to-face resource sessions. Problem-solving activities will be integrated to allow students to work in project teams to apply key research concepts to address the learning outcomes and assessment requirements.
    • Group Learning: x1 (Total hours: 2) - Interprofessional Education Activity
    • Personal Study Hours: x11 (Total hours: 100) - Recommended study hours
    Attendance and learning activities: Students are required to attend face to face teaching, workshop sessions and directed project work. Active learning will be facilitated through face-to- face resource sessions. Problem-solving activities will be integrated to allow students to work in project teams to apply key research concepts to address the learning outcomes and assessment requirements. In addition to the above group project workshops will allow students to work on research project activities that contribute towards the completion of assessment items. These activities may be undertaken individually and/or as part of a research project team. There will be opportunities to meet with Research Project Supervisors, when appropriate. Research planning workshops will provide opportunities to meet with Supervisors and Industry Partners, when appropriate. Students will be required to undertake self-directed project work that will be scheduled throughout the semester.
  • Prescribed resources:

    No Prescribed resources.

    After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.
    iLearn@Bond & Email:

    iLearn@Bond is the Learning Management System at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, class recordings and detailed subject information regarding the subject curriculum, assessment, and timing. Both iLearn and the Student Email facility are used to provide important subject notifications.

    Additionally, official correspondence from the University will be forwarded to students’ Bond email account and must be monitored by the student.

    To access these services, log on to the Student Portal from the Bond University website as www.bond.edu.au
Academic unit: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine
Subject code: PHTY72-419
Subject title: Physiotherapy: Evidence Based Practice Research - Part 1
Subject level: Postgraduate
Semester/Year: May 2024
Credit points: 20.000

Enrolment requirements

Requisites:

Nil
Assumed knowledge:

Assumed knowledge is the minimum level of knowledge of a subject area that students are assumed to have acquired through previous study. It is the responsibility of students to ensure they meet the assumed knowledge expectations of the subject. Students who do not possess this prior knowledge are strongly recommended against enrolling and do so at their own risk. No concessions will be made for students’ lack of prior knowledge.

Restrictions:

Nil

Assurance of learning

Assurance of Learning means that universities take responsibility for creating, monitoring and updating curriculum, teaching and assessment so that students graduate with the knowledge, skills and attributes they need for employability and/or further study.

At Bond University, we carefully develop subject and program outcomes to ensure that student learning in each subject contributes to the whole student experience. Students are encouraged to carefully read and consider subject and program outcomes as combined elements.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Program Learning Outcomes provide a broad and measurable set of standards that incorporate a range of knowledge and skills that will be achieved on completion of the program. If you are undertaking this subject as part of a degree program, you should refer to the relevant degree program outcomes and graduate attributes as they relate to this subject.

Find your program

Subject Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

On successful completion of this subject the learner will be able to:

  1. Develop research questions of relevance to physiotherapists or other health professionals and plan research to address these questions.
  2. Develop and systematically search the literature in order to identify gaps in the evidence base.
  3. Critically review and appraise health research.
  4. Engage appropriately in discussions with research and clinical supervisors, and other key sources (e.g., librarians, statisticians, or experts in the research field) to gain information and advice to guide research planning.
  5. Identify, evaluate, and select appropriate methods to investigate practice or health problems.
  6. Apply research ethics, integrity, and governance requirements to a research project.
  7. Develop the rationale, methodology and methods of a research project.
  8. Identify potential outcome measures using appropriate software and relevant statistical and/or qualitative analysis techniques.
  9. Prepare a draft research manuscript, with content submitted in the approved chosen journal style and using the specified instructions for authors.
  10. Demonstrate effective, professional, and ethical leadership, management, communication and research skills, a commitment to learning and evidence-based practice, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team.

Generative Artificial Intelligence in Assessment

The University acknowledges that Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen-AI) tools are an important facet of contemporary life. Their use in assessment is considered in line with students’ development of the skills and knowledge which demonstrate learning outcomes and underpin study and career success. Instructions on the use of Gen-AI are given for each assessment task; it is your responsibility to adhere to these instructions.

  • Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
    Computer-Aided Examination (Closed) Exam 2: Additional time will be allocated for the completion of preparational activities (such as pre-readings). 30.00% Final Examination Period 3,8
    Computer-Aided Examination (Closed) Exam 1 30.00% Week 11 1,5,6
    Capstone Project§ Students will progressively develop and submit research project documents while undertaking key tasks they must complete to successfully plan and conduct their capstone research project. These documents may include ethics application(s) (if relevant), proof of completion of ethics training, evidence of necessary approvals being obtained, the study protocol, and a project plan (including a project summary and scope statement, Gantt chart, risk register, and communication plan). C Week 13 1,4,5,6,10
    Literature Review§ Prepare a draft manuscript formatted for a target journal. 40.00% Week 14* 1,2,3,5,7,8,9
    • § Indicates group/teamwork-based assessment
    • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
    • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

    Pass requirement

    Students must complete all assessment items. If a student fails the subject, a resit opportunity will be scheduled and conducted as soon as practicable after all of the summative assessments have been completed.

  • Assessment criteria

    High Distinction 85-100 Outstanding or exemplary performance in the following areas: interpretative ability; intellectual initiative in response to questions; mastery of the skills required by the subject, general levels of knowledge and analytic ability or clear thinking.
    Distinction 75-84 Usually awarded to students whose performance goes well beyond the minimum requirements set for tasks required in assessment, and who perform well in most of the above areas.
    Credit 65-74 Usually awarded to students whose performance is considered to go beyond the minimum requirements for work set for assessment. Assessable work is typically characterised by a strong performance in some of the capacities listed above.
    Pass 50-64 Usually awarded to students whose performance meets the requirements set for work provided for assessment.
    Fail 0-49 Usually awarded to students whose performance is not considered to meet the minimum requirements set for particular tasks. The fail grade may be a result of insufficient preparation, of inattention to assignment guidelines or lack of academic ability. A frequent cause of failure is lack of attention to subject or assignment guidelines.

    Quality assurance

    For the purposes of quality assurance, Bond University conducts an evaluation process to measure and document student assessment as evidence of the extent to which program and subject learning outcomes are achieved. Some examples of student work will be retained for potential research and quality auditing purposes only. Any student work used will be treated confidentially and no student grades will be affected.

Type Task % Timing* Outcomes assessed
Computer-Aided Examination (Closed) Exam 2: Additional time will be allocated for the completion of preparational activities (such as pre-readings). 30.00% Final Examination Period 3,8
Computer-Aided Examination (Closed) Exam 1 30.00% Week 11 1,5,6
Capstone Project§ Students will progressively develop and submit research project documents while undertaking key tasks they must complete to successfully plan and conduct their capstone research project. These documents may include ethics application(s) (if relevant), proof of completion of ethics training, evidence of necessary approvals being obtained, the study protocol, and a project plan (including a project summary and scope statement, Gantt chart, risk register, and communication plan). C Week 13 1,4,5,6,10
Literature Review§ Prepare a draft manuscript formatted for a target journal. 40.00% Week 14* 1,2,3,5,7,8,9
  • § Indicates group/teamwork-based assessment
  • * Assessment timing is indicative of the week that the assessment is due or begins (where conducted over multiple weeks), and is based on the standard University academic calendar
  • C = Students must reach a level of competency to successfully complete this assessment.

Pass requirement

Students must complete all assessment items. If a student fails the subject, a resit opportunity will be scheduled and conducted as soon as practicable after all of the summative assessments have been completed.

Study Information

Submission procedures

Students must check the iLearn@Bond subject site for detailed assessment information and submission procedures.

Policy on late submission and extensions

A late penalty will be applied to all overdue assessment tasks unless an extension is granted by the subject coordinator. The standard penalty will be 10% of marks awarded to that assessment per day late with no assessment to be accepted seven days after the due date. Where a student is granted an extension, the penalty of 10% per day late starts from the new due date.

Academic Integrity

Bond University‘s Student Code of Conduct Policy , Student Charter, Academic Integrity Policy and our Graduate Attributes guide expectations regarding student behaviour, their rights and responsibilities. Information on these topics can be found on our Academic Integrity webpage recognising that academic integrity involves demonstrating the principles of integrity (honesty, fairness, trust, professionalism, courage, responsibility, and respect) in words and actions across all aspects of academic endeavour.

Staff are required to report suspected misconduct. This includes all types of plagiarism, cheating, collusion, fabrication or falsification of data/content or other misconduct relating to assessment such as the falsification of medical certificates for assessment extensions. The longer term personal, social and financial consequences of misconduct can be severe, so please ask for help if you are unsure.

If your work is subject to an inquiry, you will be given an opportunity to respond and appropriate support will be provided. Academic work under inquiry will not be marked until the process has concluded. Penalties for misconduct include a warning, reduced grade, a requirement to repeat the assessment, suspension or expulsion from the University.

Feedback on assessment

Feedback on assessment will be provided to students according to the requirements of the Assessment Procedure Schedule A - Assessment Communication Procedure.

Whilst in most cases feedback should be provided within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, the Procedure should be checked if the assessment is linked to others or if the subject is a non-standard (e.g., intensive) subject.

Accessibility and Inclusion Support

Support is available to students where a physical, mental or neurological condition exists that would impact the student’s capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks. For effective support, special requirement needs should be arranged with the University in advance of or at the start of each semester, or, for acute conditions, as soon as practicable after the condition arises. Reasonable adjustments are not guaranteed where applications are submitted late in the semester (for example, when lodged just prior to critical assessment and examination dates).

As outlined in the Accessibility and Inclusion Policy, to qualify for support, students must meet certain criteria. Students are also required to meet with the Accessibility and Inclusion Advisor who will ensure that reasonable adjustments are afforded to qualifying students.

For more information and to apply online, visit BondAbility.

Additional subject information

This subject aims to address the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. (Please refer to the subject supplement guide for mapping of the subject Learning Outcomes to the Physiotherapy Roles and Key Competencies outlined in the Physiotherapy Practice Thresholds in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand).

Subject curriculum

Approved on: Mar 8, 2024. Edition: 1.2
Last updated: Apr 2, 2024
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