OCTH 640

OCTH 640: Research in Occupational Therapy

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of OCTH 630, 632 and 634 or permission of the Chair

Credit Hours: (3)

Provides an overview of the qualitative and quantitative research methods used in clinical research in occupational therapy, and of the process of locating and securing grants.  Includes practical experience with designing a study, collecting and analyzing data and writing research reports.

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

Topics include:

• The nature and scope of research in a practice profession
• Developing and testing theory
• Integrity and ethics in the conduct of research with human subjects
• Quantitative approaches used in occupational therapy research
• Qualitative approaches used in occupational therapy research
• Generating research questions
• Organizing the components of a scholarly investigation
• Securing samples for research
• Choosing tests and measures for research and collecting research data
• Managing and analyzing quantitative data
• Managing and analyzing qualitative data
• Writing a research report
• Presenting the results of research
• Obtaining funding for research
• Creating outcome research relevant for evidence-based practice
• Using research to develop and evaluate programs of service

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Readings, lectures and discussions will be supplemented by direct experience with the research process.  Students will work together to design, plan and carry out a "class" study, and to analyze and report the data generated. 

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Discuss the process of developing and testing theory, and its relevance to occupational therapy;
2. Articulate the importance of research to continuing the development of a body of knowledge unique to the profession of occupational therapy;
3. Effectively locate, understand and evaluate research evidence;
4. Understand and critique the research designs and methodologies used in clinical studies;
5. Give examples of the use of research literature to make evidence-based decisions;
6. Understand and use basic descriptive, correlational and inferential statistics in the analysis of quantitative research data;
7. Code, analyze and synthesize qualitative research data;
8. Demonstrate the skills necessary to design a research proposal;
9. Implement selected aspects of research methodolology;
10. Demonstrate basic skills necessary to write a research report for presentation or publication; 
11. Demonstrate an understanding of the process of locating and securing grants, and of how grants can support research and practice.

 

Assessment Measures

Participation in practice activities, tests and a graded research report may be used to assess the outcomes of this course.

 

Other Course Information

 

Review and Approval

February, 2009