1. Demonstrate knowledge of the principal methods of enquiry used in sports therapy and rehabilitation research, and critically evaluate the appropriateness of different research designs and methodological features when making evidence-based treatment and management decisions¿

Research¿Skills¿

Reflection¿

2. Critically analyse sports therapy and rehabilitation research, and¿formulate answerable research questions and hypotheses to problems that arise¿

Critical¿Reasoning &¿Collaboration¿¿

3. Demonstrate the professional qualities and transferable skills¿required¿for employment in sports therapy and rehabilitation, including the ability to¿provide clinical reasoning based on the available sports therapy and rehabilitation evidence¿

Personal¿Development &¿Entrepreneurship,¿

Reflection¿

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Coursework: Plan, conduct, and report the findings of an experimental pilot study.¿During the module, students will devise a study protocol for a feasibility pilot study of their choosing. Based on this protocol, students will carry out the study and produce a comprehensive report that adheres to good research reporting practices. The report should include a clear background, detailed¿methodology, presentation of results, and a discussion interpreting the findings.¿

Within this module, students will complete formative assessment tasks designed to support the development of professional knowledge and skills. These tasks will be structured to enable students to demonstrate their developing ability to meet the competencies required by the relevant Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB), while receiving feedback that supports progression towards the summative assessments and professional standards expected within the discipline.

This module introduces you to the principles and practice of evidence-based decision-making within sports therapy and rehabilitation. You will learn how to critically engage with research literature, understand the foundations of scientific enquiry, and apply robust, evidence-informed approaches to clinical and performance-focused problem solving.¿

You will explore how evidence is generated, interpreted, and applied in practice. Beginning with an overview of the evidence hierarchy, you will examine the key features that characterise high-quality research, including¿appropriate control¿conditions, randomisation, blinding, and other bias-minimising strategies. Building on this foundation, you will learn how to formulate clear, answerable research questions and develop efficient search strategies to¿locate¿relevant and reliable evidence.¿

You will then develop skills in critical appraisal, analysing methodological quality,¿identifying¿sources of bias, and evaluating internal and external validity. You will learn to interpret a range of outcome measures commonly used in sports therapy research. Through guided¿seminars, you will¿apply these skills and¿explore the principles of designing and piloting¿experimental¿trials, including considerations around¿eligibility,¿feasibility, intervention fidelity, and outcome¿selection. Alongside this, you will develop foundational skills in interpreting statistical results and assessing clinical significance, enabling you to¿determine¿whether research findings are meaningful and applicable to real-world practice.¿

By the end of the module, you will be able to critically appraise the quality and relevance of¿evidence, interpret trial findings with confidence, and¿be able to make evidence¿informed decisions in the¿treatment¿and management of neuromusculoskeletal pathologies. You will also have the foundational skills¿required¿to design a methodologically sound trial protocol,¿demonstrating¿an understanding of research ethics,¿scientific integrity,¿methodological design, and¿good reporting practices.¿

¿How do you know what treatments really work in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation?¿
In this module,¿you’ll¿explore how to make confident evidence-based treatment and management decisions.¿You’ll¿learn how to critically evaluate research, understand scientific enquiry, and apply high-quality evidence to real-world problems. Through interactive seminars,¿you’ll¿develop skills in formulating research questions, appraising studies, interpreting data, and designing your own trial protocols. These essential skills will support your development¿as a reflective practitioner and prepare you for evidence-informed practice in sports therapy and rehabilitation.

We are committed to providing an engaging, inclusive, and supportive learning environment that develops students’ knowledge, clinical reasoning, and practical skills.¿¿

A central feature of¿our¿approach¿is¿simulation-based learning, which allows students to engage with realistic clinical scenarios in a safe and structured setting. Learning is carefully scaffolded: students begin with peer-to-peer role-play, exploring fundamental concepts, communication, and interpersonal skills; progress to case study simulations, applying evidence-based knowledge to increasingly complex injury scenarios; and ultimately integrate these skills into real-world practice within the University’s commercial clinics at Level 5 and 6. This structured progression ensures a seamless transition from theory to professional application while preparing students for graduate employability.¿
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The module is delivered¿predominantly face-to-face, combining theoretical understanding with hands-on practical experience to support deeper¿learning and to¿develop practical¿competence. Students refine their manual and technical skills through guided practice, live demonstrations, and independent tasks,¿consolidating¿knowledge while building confidence in¿healthcare¿and¿sport¿settings.¿

To further support self-directed and reflective learning, students have access to¿our¿telehealth and greenscreen facilities, enabling the creation of digital learning resources for revision, skill development, and reflective practice. These activities encourage active engagement, critical thinking, and the integration of evidence-based knowledge into practical decision-making.¿

Ward, K. (Ed.). (2024). Routledge Handbook of Sports and Exercise Therapy. Taylor & Francis.¿¿

Friedman, L. M.,¿Furberg, C. D.,¿DeMets, D. L.,¿Reboussin, D. M., & Granger, C. B. (2015). Fundamentals of clinical trials. springer.¿

Wang, D., &¿Bakhai, A. (2006). Clinical trials: a practical guide to design, analysis, and reporting.¿Remedica.¿

Greenhalgh, T. M., & Dijkstra, P. (2024). How to Read a Paper:¿the¿Basics of Evidence-Based Healthcare. John Wiley & Sons.¿

Sestak, Z. (2013). How to¿write¿a paper. G. M. Hall (Ed.). John Wiley & Sons.

Industry standard Teaching Clinic and Rehabilitation Zone¿

State-of-the-Art¿Telehealth Hub