What is a research proposal? Plan to test hypothesis using research Write research Proposal (plan) Carry out research Apply for grant/ethics Clinical hypothesis Start Here

The research question “I wish I had put more effort into the initial proposal.”

The research question “Where do questions come from?” Placements Conferences Ongoing research project Literature

The literature review “I didn’t realise this was my opportunity to persuade people why my research was important.”

The literature review Write persuasive argument why your research is necessary Are you evaluating a new technique / regimen / piece of equipment / outcome tool? Has anything been done like this before, if so, what were the outcomes? Are you improving on a previous piece of research, if so, why was the previous research inadequate? Are you seeking the opinions/experiences of colleagues, if so, for what clinical or professional benefit? How will your work improve on that of others A literature search must be repeatable (methodology) Think of key words related to your question Search databases for related literature Include past and latest research Use related databases Decide which articles to keep Inclusion/exclusion criteria Read articles!

The literature review Don’t put… “Crozo (1982) states that the current thinking in physiotherapy is …” “The results from the study by Jones et al. (1999) should be ignored as their methodology was deeply flawed.”

The study “ I wish I had known my original research question would change throughout the process.”

The study Aim: (Qualitative and Quantitative) What are you attempting to do? “To investigate the presence of a relationship between trunk and shoulder stability in stroke patients” Hypothesis: (Quantitative) Relate to specific outcome measures “H1 There is a relationship between trunk and shoulder stability in stroke patients” Objective: (Qualitative) What do you want to know? “The stroke patients’ perception of their shoulder problems and sitting balance”

Research design Don’t put… “The study will be an RCT as they are considered the most reliable form of scientific evidence (en.wikipedia.org).” Do put… “The study will be quantitative in design; it will be a single blind randomised controlled trial using unrelated subjects.” Then justify.

Research design “I didn’t know I was writing the methodology so that someone else could copy it!” “I didn’t know I had to do a pilot study – It’ll just be repeating the main methodology won’t it?”

Sample Outline exclusion criteria, explain why e.g. Those with co-morbidities Those unable to walk 15 metres Describe your target population e.g. Male inpatients with COPD in Yorkshire Outline inclusion criteria, explain why e.g. Males; 18+; in hospital in Yorkshire; with COPD

Sample From where are the participants recruited? From a clinic; from a consultant; from a ward How are the participants recruited? Randomly from a list Friends of friends Sample size – explain why Feasibility!!! “…because Ross et al (2006) found significant differences with x participants.”

Sample Inclusion/exclusion criteria: Don’t put… “Subjects will not be included if they do not provide their consent.” “Subjects will be included if they provide their consent.”

Intervention Operational Definitions: ambiguous terms (variables) – strength / function / health terms that need specifying e.g. measurement Ask a non-medical person! Presume the reader doesn’t know! Describe the intervention adequately Is it realistic/feasible? Don’t put… “the participant will receive 6 hours of intensive physiotherapy (with 1 hours break) 5 days per week on a one-to-one basis. The intervention will last for 4 weeks.”

Outcome measures Explain why you have chosen your measurement tools over alternatives. Describe their method of use. Comment on:- –Validity –Reliability –Responsiveness –Appropriate Don’t put… “Improvement in Parkinsonian symptoms will be measured using gait”

Data collection Describe the procedure in details (Flowchart?) Describe the interviewer training, or tester standardisation ensuring……..? - Interrater / Intrarater reliability Who? How many times? When?

Confounding variables Identify areas for potential bias; i.e. threats to internal and external validity. Internal validity Will your method / population change from one test to the next? External validity Can the results be generalised? Does the sample reflect its general population?

Data analysis “The p-value the computer recommended was 0.01.” Questions to ask yourself….:- 1.How will I present my data? 2.What level of data will I obtain from my tests? 3.Will I use para- or nonparametric tests? 4.Which tests will I use? 5.On which data will I use each test? 6.What do I want to be able to tell the reader?

Ethics If your research is to be ethically sound you will ensure that no harm comes to the participant: how will you show this? Beneficence - a practitioner should act in the best interest of the patient.Beneficence Non-maleficence - "first, do no harm“.Non-maleficence Autonomy - the patient has the right to refuse or choose their treatment.Autonomy Justice – all should be treated equally.Justice Dignity - the patient (and the person treating the patient) have the right to dignity.Dignity

Ethics Don’t put… “…as it is a survey there are no ethical considerations.” Or… “Consent will be obtained and all data will be kept confidentially. All patients will be treated fairly not be treated harmfully.”

References Check all the cited work appears in the list of references Check that all articles, books etc in the list are cited somewhere in the text Refer to page 60 in the Critical Thinking and Enquiry Study Pack Don’t lose easy marks!!!