Contact Hours:
20 hours Lectures
21 hours Group Work
1 hour (3 x 20 mins)Tutorials


Independent Study Hours:
28 hours Background Reading
40 hours Preparation and Production of Critical Appraisal Report
20 hours Preparation and Production of Data Analysis Exercise
20 hours Preparation and Production of PPP

Lecture/Seminar rooms with access to Power Point
Internet Access (eduroam)
Athens Accounts
Access to Library Resources (ILL and Ref Works)
Access to Statistics Packages
Access to Excel

Successful completion of all level 4 modules

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of different research perspectives (e.g. positivist and phenomenological) in relation to clinical practice, personal professional development and the profession of osteopathy. (OPS: B2, B3)
(Knowledge & Understanding, Learning)

2.Identify research strategies and methodologies used in published research (OPS: B2)
(Knowledge & Understanding, Enquiry)

3.Present, evaluate and interpret data (OPS: B2, B3, B4, D2, D3)
(Analysis, Communication, Learning, Enquiry)

4. Critically evaluate published research papers (OPS: B2, B3, B4, D2, D3)
(Analysis, Communication, Learning, Enquiry)

5. Reflect on the relevance of research activities to clinical practice, personal professional development, the profession of osteopathy and other health care professions. (OPS: A1, B2, B3, B4, D1, D2, D3)
(Communication, Reflection)

6. Demonstrate personal and professional development and identify and analyse opportunities for reflection and self evaluation (OPS: B2, B4, D1-18)
(Communication, Reflection)

This module develops the introduction to research methodologies and data analysis presented at level 4. The key aim of the module is to provide students with the tools they need to be able to reflect on the validity and reliability of published research material and to transfer this learning into other modules across the course.

The module covers key concepts in relation to the evidence based practice, research perspectives (e.g. positivist and phenomenological), research strategies (e.g. experimental, surveys and qualitative ), research methodologies (e.g. RCT, questionnaires, audits and interviews) and data analysis (descriptive and inferential statistics)

By the end of the module students will be equipped to carry out systematic critical appraisal of a broad range of published research material and understand the limits of their knowledge

Threading through the module is the Personal and Professional Portfolio (PPP), a self-directed learning tool, which aims to encourage reflection, evaluation and self-development.

Subject Benchmark Statement: Osteopathy: A,D,K, L, M, N

Critical Appraisal Report 75% weighting 2,000 – 2,500 words (LO's 1,2, 3, 4 and 5) Written assignment which involves critical appraisal of published research articles

Personal and Professional Portfolio 25% weighting 750 words (LO 6)
Brief exercises which involve SWOT review, reflective incidents log and action plan

All elements must be passed

Additional Assessment Details (include formative feedback / assessment):

2 formative opportunities
Tutorial on draft Critical Appraisal Report
Tutorial on draft Personal and Professional Portfolio (PPP)

Greenhalgh, T. (2014). How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence Based Medicine.5th Edition. John Wiley and Sons Ltd. Chichester U.K..
Gronmo, S. (2019) Social Research Methods (3rd Editionetn). London, Sage.

Stewart, Anthony (2016). Basic Statistics and Epidemiology: A Practical Guide. 4th Edition. CRC Press. Boca Raton, Florida.