Evidence Based Practice Research 2

General Information

In this practical research subject and its preceding 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. Students will have opportunities to co-author research papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals and to prepare research presentations and abstracts for submission to a professional conference.

  • Academic unit: Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine
    Subject code: PHTY73-419
    Subject title: Evidence Based Practice Research 2
    Subject level: Postgraduate
    Semester/Year: January 2021
    Credit points: 20.000
  • Timetable: https://bond.edu.au/timetable
    Delivery mode: Standard
    Workload items:
    • Tutorial: x36 (Total hours: 180) - Group Project Workshops allow students to work on research project activities that contribute towards the completion of assessment items. These 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.
    • Group Learning: x6 (Total hours: 6) - Consultation with supervisor and industry partners
    • Workshop: x1 (Total hours: 8) - Research congress
    • Group Learning: x2 (Total hours: 6) - Face-to-face resource session to address the learning outcomes and assessment requirements.
    • Personal Study Hours: x6 (Total hours: 50) - Personal study
    Attendance and learning activities: Student Learning Responsibilities: In this semester of study, students will be required to meet with their supervisors at key time points throughout the initial 6 weeks of the semester to ensure timely achievement of project milestones and learning outcomes. Additionally, students must also make arrangements to meet in project groups on campus at least one scheduled day on a weekly basis. Students will carry out and complete the data gathering and analysis phases of the project within this research intensive time period. Each student will have at least one University research supervisor, and often also another research supervisor located at the host site for the research. The student is responsible to liaise closely with the supervisor(s) throughout the research project and semester and is to follow the submission dates for the assessment items of the subject, which reflect key milestones and outputs in the progress of the research. Any proposed variations to the submission dates must be discussed and approved in advance by the supervisors and subject convenor, with consideration of the need for timely completion of the project. Any perceived challenges in progressing and completing the research and assessment items in a timely fashion should be discussed by the student as early as possible with the supervisor(s) and, if delays are anticipated, with the subject convenor. The research supervisor(s) will provide feedback as appropriate, and will, together with the student, ensure good progress is made and that anticipated delays are flagged with the subject convenor. STUDENT LEARNING RESPONSIBILITIES: Students are expected to take a significant level of responsibility for their own learning. Students are encouraged throughout the subject to take the initiative to identify, apply and integrate material from other subjects and other sources to the present subject. Students will attend research meetings, workshops and directed project work and will be responsible for being pro-active learners in small groups. Students will be expected to practice and reflect on their performance, throughout each of the above learning activities. Bond University forwarded your name to AHPRA in your first semester of enrolment, stating that you are a current physiotherapy student undertaking the DPhty Program. This means that you are now being educated within the legal framework for practice as a physiotherapy student, and that you are aware of, and have embraced the professional behaviour and attitudes required of all health professionals. It is essential to embrace the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPhty) Program Charter that you signed at the start of the DPhty Program. Professional behaviour and appropriate professional attitudes must be evident in all learning activities (research meetings, workshops and directed project work) and can be grounds for disciplinary action, including failure in this subject, if you do not embrace these expectations of the physiotherapy profession. (Please refer to the DPhty Program Charter for details). There are four elements of professional behaviour that need to be evident and will be monitored in all learning activities: 1. Respect – demonstrated through attitude to Self / Peers / Educators; 2. Responsibility – you are required to: attend all learning activities* – please complete an absence for approval form and show how you plan to make up content when an absence cannot be avoided (e.g. Ill-health / national representative); be punctual and implement appropriate actions if you are late; actively participate in all activities; show initiative; be accountable for your behaviours and actions. 3. Communication – appropriate verbal and non-verbal behaviour is required when communicating with peers / educators (patients & clinical educators in the clinical setting); 4. Self-awareness and capacity to reflect and self-evaluate need to be displayed *Please refer to the DPhty Program Charter for details of the requirement to complete the appropriate ‘Leave of Absence Form’ to have any planned or unplanned absences approved. Should you breach these guidelines then your educators will consult with the subject convenor / Head of Program. The Head of Program may: Implement a mentoring program; Give an informal warning; Refer to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Service Quality (ADSASQ) for review and attention. The outcomes of these steps may result in: An informal warning and monitor progress; A formal warning; Grade penalties (Marks which could impact on Grades); Referral to the Dean / Faculty for disciplinary procedures.
  • Prescribed resources:

    Others

    • Rod Pope (2019). Research Resource Map. Bond University Bond University Available at: https://www.diigo.com/profile/hsm_rmc/R0
    • Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (2009). Systematic Reviews: CRD’s guidance for undertaking reviews in health care (3rd Edn). York, United Kingdom University of York
    After enrolment, students can check the Books and Tools area in iLearn for the full Resource List.
    iLearn@Bond & Email: iLearn@Bond is the online learning environment at Bond University and is used to provide access to subject materials, lecture 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: PHTY73-419
Subject title: Evidence Based Practice Research 2
Subject level: Postgraduate
Semester/Year: January 2021
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.

And/or equivalent prior versions of subjects being taught out. PHTY93-421 Evidence Based Practice Research (Part A)
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 and plan research to address these questions.
  2. Develop and evaluate a strategic plan.
  3. Engage appropriately in discussions with research and clinical supervisors, and other key sources to gain information and advice to guide research planning.
  4. Evaluate existing evidence to support a rationale for the proposed research, relevant to physiotherapy education and/or practice.
  5. Develop an ethics proposal for the research project using knowledge of research approaches, methods, statistics and research ethics.
  6. Plan the rationale and methodology of a research project and demonstrate readiness to commence the collaborative project.
  7. Recruit participants, collect data and/or extract and collate data from one or more databases in collaboration with supervisors and other researchers, in an ethical and professional manner.
  8. Enter, check, prepare and analyse research data, using appropriate software and relevant statistical and/or qualitative analysis techniques.
  9. Prepare a research manuscript, with content submitted in the approved chosen journal style and using the specified instructions for authors, and with the intent to disseminate the research findings by publication.
  10. Disseminate research findings in an oral seminar/podium or conference poster format to address gaps in knowledge and inform development of physiotherapy or health-related practice.
  11. 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
    Capstone Project§^ This assessment involves development and submission of the research final manuscript. Further assessment details are provided on the iLearn site. 50.00% Week 7 1,3,4,6,7,8,9,11
    Workplace Performance Report^ Each student will be individually and progressively assessed by their research supervisor(s) on their performance as an ethical, responsible and effective researcher and research team member, within the context of their collaborative research project. 25.00% Week 8 2,3,5,11
    Presentation§^ Students will present their research at the Doctor of Physiotherapy Program Mini-Congress, to fulfil this summative assessment requirement. The presentation(s) will be delivered jointly by the groups of 2-3 students who conducted the research, with marks shared by these students. 25.00% Week 8 3,10,11
    • ^ Students must pass this assessment to pass the subject
    • § 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.

  • 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
Capstone Project§^ This assessment involves development and submission of the research final manuscript. Further assessment details are provided on the iLearn site. 50.00% Week 7 1,3,4,6,7,8,9,11
Workplace Performance Report^ Each student will be individually and progressively assessed by their research supervisor(s) on their performance as an ethical, responsible and effective researcher and research team member, within the context of their collaborative research project. 25.00% Week 8 2,3,5,11
Presentation§^ Students will present their research at the Doctor of Physiotherapy Program Mini-Congress, to fulfil this summative assessment requirement. The presentation(s) will be delivered jointly by the groups of 2-3 students who conducted the research, with marks shared by these students. 25.00% Week 8 3,10,11
  • ^ Students must pass this assessment to pass the subject
  • § 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.

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

University’s Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as the act of misrepresenting as one’s own original work: another’s ideas, interpretations, words, or creative works; and/or one’s own previous ideas, interpretations, words, or creative work without acknowledging that it was used previously (i.e., self-plagiarism). The University considers the act of plagiarising to be a breach of the Student Conduct Code and, therefore, subject to the Discipline Regulations which provide for a range of penalties including the reduction of marks or grades, fines and suspension from the University.

Bond University utilises Originality Reporting software to inform academic integrity.

Feedback on assessment

Feedback on assessment will be provided to students within two weeks of the assessment submission due date, as per the Assessment Policy.

Accessibility and Inclusion Support

If you have a disability, illness, injury or health condition that impacts your capacity to complete studies, exams or assessment tasks, it is important you let us know your special requirements, early in the semester. Students will need to make an application for support and submit it with recent, comprehensive documentation at an appointment with a Disability Officer. Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Office at the earliest possible time, to meet staff and learn about the services available to meet your specific needs. Please note that late notification or failure to disclose your disability can be to your disadvantage as the University cannot guarantee support under such circumstances.

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: Oct 23, 2020. Edition: 2.1
Last updated: Oct 10, 2022