RHS 502

 

KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF APPLIED MEDICAL SCIENCES
DEPRATMENT OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES
PHYSICAL THERAPY
M.Sc. Programme
 
COURSE SYLLABUS
First semester – 1437/1438 – 2016/2017

 

Course Number:                   RHS 502
Course Title:                         Research methodology
Credit Hours:                        2 credit hours

Course Instructor:               Dr. Einas Al-Eisa
                                     
 
Course Description:
 
The course addresses the philosophical basis of research, different methodological approaches (quantitative and qualitative), designs, and research process in the field of physical therapy.  The course develops the student’s ability to produce a detailed research proposal in consideration of the ethical, social, political, and economic aspects of research. The students will develop their critical appraisal skills and the different approaches of data analysis will be introduced.      
 
Course Objectives:
 
Upon completion of this course students will be able to:
 

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical basis of research and the basis of scientific enquiry.
2. Critically appraise different methodological approaches, designs and methods used in health sciences in general and physical therapy in particular.
3. Produce a detailed research proposal following the basis of scientific research and considering the high quality evidence.
4. Demonstrate skills of problem solving, critical appraisal, effective communication that are transferable to other situations.
5. Demonstrate independence, critical thinking, creativity, and originality.

 
Learning Objectives:
 

1. Understanding the process of inquiry. Discuss the essence of graduate studies while engaging in the process of inquiry. The process of inquiry allows one to form and to systematically examine unanswered questions within established scientific methodologies. Requisite in this engagement are critical thinking, problem solving and creative approaches in identifying and employing appropriate strategies in order to answer specific unanswered questions.

 

1. Understanding reported research. Learn the typical format (introduction, methods, results and discussion) of reported research. We will discuss how and why each section is constructed. Strategies for extracting, and synthesizing meaningful information from reported research will also be discussed and practiced.

 

1. Conducting a review of literature. Learn a set of strategies for conducting a review of literature that demystify the process. It will include but not necessarily be limited to the following:

• strategies for using keyword searches specific to pertinent databases to identify a reasonable pool of references
• strategies for cross referencing citations and reference lists
• strategies for identifying a critical mass of possible sources and then how to pare them down to those that are most on point
• strategies for reading and synthesizing literature into a compelling and intriguing argument that logically leads the reader to the problem statement.

1. Validity, Reliability and Generalizability. These concepts are central to quality research. Indeed threats to any of these ideas weaken the research design, methods and makes suspect any conclusions that are drawn.

 

1. Writing reported research. We will discuss how to write each of the four sections in reported research (introduction, methods, results and discussion).

 

1. Research Designs. The following common research designs will be discussed: Descriptive Research, Correlation Research, Experimental, Quasi Experimental, Survey Research, Qualitative Research, Mixed Methods designs and Meta Analysis.

 
Expectations from students:
 
Throughout the semester, students will:

• Choose a certain topic for research and come up with a question
• Generate a hypothesis
• Identify research variables and experimental measures
• Appraise literature on the selected topic
• Write a literature review
• Present the research question and literature review in public

 
Course Outline:

Week 1:

Introduction: Basic concepts of research Importance of research Research paradigms Defining the question Exploring the literature Hypotheses Variables Levels of measurements

 
 

Week 2&3:	Research types Clinical research designs I Single subject designs Experimental designs Clinical research designs II Qualitative research
Week 4:	Literature review
Week5:	Research methods Research ethics The use and protection of human subjects The use and protection of animal subjects
Week 6:	Reliability and validity Definitions Types of validity Types of reliability Assessing reliability and validity
Week 7&8:	Data analysis Populations and samples Sampling methods Statistical significance Non-parametric statistics Comparisons of means Analysis of variance
Week 9:	Critique process Critiquing papers (quantitative & qualitative)
Week 10:	Presenting data

 
 

Week 11:	Writing skills Writing a research proposal Writing a research report
Week12-14:	Student seminar: Presentation of review of literature related to a selected topic
Week 15:	Final exam

 
 
Learning and Teaching Approach:
 
Lectures
Group work
Reading and discussion/debate
Student presentations and student-led seminars
Individual supervision
Reflection and self-direction shall be facilitated
 
Student Evaluation:

		Due date
Assignment I: Defining research question and problem statement	10%	Week 4
Assignment II: Literature review	20%	Week 8
Assignment III: Methods and design	20%	Week 10
Final paper (research proposal)	30%	Week 14
Final exam	20%	Week 15

 
 

 
Reference List:

1. Portney LG & Watkins MP. Foundations of Clinical Research: Applications to Practice. Prentice Hall Health, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
2. Glantz SA. Primer of biostatistics. McGraw-Hill, New York.
3. Bork CE. Research in Physical Therapy. JB Lippincott Co., Philadelphia
4. Hichs C. Research Methods for Clinical Therapists: Applied Project Design and Analysis. Chirchill Livingstone, Edinburgh.
5. Domholdt E.  Physical Therapy Research: Principles and Applications.  WB Saunders Company.

 
 
Course Instructor:
Dr. Einas Al-Eisa        
e-mail: [e-mail]