Module: Research Informed Practice

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research Informed Practice
Module Code	TRE1024
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Health & Human Performance
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the principles and application of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment/ intervention efficacy, the research process and evidence informed practice. Building on prior learning relating to research methods, students will work in small groups to conduct a critically appraised topic on a focused clinical question in the field of Physiotherapy. They will develop and advance their skills in searching for recent available literature, critically appraise the current available evidence and clearly synthesise the findings and apply them to clinical practice. Students will also identify future research questions, arising from their findings and propose appropriate study designs to address these knowledge gaps. Upon completion of this module, students will demonstrate skills in evidence-informed practice, including translation of theory, concepts and methods to clinical/professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Upon successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: Formulate a focused and applied clinical question in the Physiotherapy domain and systematically retrieve best available evidence.
2. Upon successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: Critically evaluate the available literature and demonstrate an understanding of statistics used in health research.
3. Upon successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: Synthesize, summarise and apply the findings to clinical practice.
4. Upon successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: Propose a research protocol to address the research question (s) arising from findings and/or knowledge gaps of the critically appraised topic.
5. Upon successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of research ethics and integrity.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Tutorial	24	Tutorials Applied tutorials supporting students group project
Directed learning	12	Directed tasks related to the projects
Independent Study	89	Independent learning and tasks
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21482	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Cliona O'Sullivan	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Written assignment: Students will conduct and write a report on a critically appraised topic in the field of Physiotherapy. Working in small groups, students will develop a focused clinical question, systematically search the literature for available evidence, appraise the available evidence and synthesise the findings. Students will also propose a research question, design and summary protocol, which addresses knowledge gaps arising from the findings of their Critically Appraised Topic.	70%	n/a
Group presentation	The group presentation represents a ‘building block’ towards the written assignment. Students will present a progress update on their Critically Appraised Topic, including a focused clinical question, literature search, appraisal and findings.	30%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

n/a
● Finding and searching for evidence ● Overview of study designs ● Critical appraisal skills and checklists ● Making sense of results and their relevance to clinical practice ● Research ethics ● Research integrity

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Fink, A: 2019, Conducting Research Literature Reviews, SAGE Publications,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Callander, J., Anstey, A. V., Ingram, J. R., Limpens, J., Flohr, C., & Spuls, P. I, 2017, How to write a Critically Appraised Topic: Evidence to underpin routine clinical practice, British Journal of Dermatology
420077: 1, Physiopedia, 2020, Critically Appraised Topics,
https://www.physio-pedia.com/Critically_Appraised_Topics: 420078, 1, Equator Network checklists (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research),
https://www.equator-network.org/reporting-guidelines/strobe/: 420079, 1, Critical Apprasial Skills Programme,
https://casp-uk.net/: