• Offered for Year: 2024/25

• Module Leader(s): Dr Christos Salis
• Lecturer: Ms Helen Raffell

• Owning School: Education, Communication & Language Sci
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Aims

1. To enable students to generate, describe and analyse data systematically; to formulate research questions and hypotheses; to interpret quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate hypotheses
2. To understand difference study designs and methodological approaches.
3. To enable students to understand single case experimental study methodology and its application in a clinical setting
4. To provide students with critical appraisal skills for evaluating effectively treatment studies
5. To provide students with the experience of conducting applied research in speech and language pathology in the clinical setting
6. To develop an in-depth understanding of the current theory related to assessment and intervention appropriate to an individual client

In relation to HCPC Standards of Proficiency (SoP), the following SoPs are addressed:
1.2 recognise the need to manage their own workload and resources safely and effectively, including the emotional burden that comes with working in a pressured environment

4.7 use research, reasoning and problem solving when determining appropriate actions

6.1 adhere to the professional duty of confidentiality and understand when disclosure may be required

6.2 understand the principles of information and data governance and be aware of the safe and effective use of health, social care and other relevant information

6.5 recognise that the concepts of confidentiality and informed consent extend to all mediums, including illustrative clinical records such as photography, video and audio recordings and digital platforms

11.1 engage in evidence based practice

11.2 gather and use feedback and information, including qualitative and quantitative data, to evaluate the response of service users to their care

11.3 monitor and systematically evaluate the quality of practice, and maintain an effective quality management and quality assurance process working towards continual improvement

11.5 evaluate care plans or intervention plans, using recognised and appropriate outcome measures, in conjunction with the service user where possible

12.2 demonstrate awareness of the principles and applications of scientific enquiry, including the evaluation of treatment efficacy and the research process

12.11 understand therapeutic contexts, models and processes relevant to the practice of speech and language therapy

12.12 understand developmental and acquired disorders of speech, language, communication and swallowing

13.2 gather appropriate information

13.3 analyse and critically evaluate the information collected

13.4 select and use appropriate assessment techniques and equipment

13.5 undertake a thorough, sensitive and detailed assessment


13.9 recognise the value of research to the critical evaluation of practice

13.8 recognise a range of research methodologies relevant to their role

13.10 critically evaluate research and other evidence to inform their own practice

13.14 apply knowledge of communication impairment, linguistics, phonetics, psychology and biomedical sciences to the identification, assessment and differential diagnosis of a range of communication and swallowing impairments

13.17 evaluate the effects of communication difficulties and swallowing status on the psychosocial wellbeing of service users, their families and carers

Outline Of Syllabus

Taught component:
Types of data: quantitative, qualitative
Overview of research designs
Research questions, variables, hypotheses
Single case and group experiment designs
Descriptive and inferential statistics
Statistical vs. clinical significance
Non-parametric statistics using Excel software

Project component:
General induction session
Semester 1: Taught component, followed by external clinical practice placement where student works with one client on an intensive basis over a 8 week period with support from external practice educator (clinical supervisor)
Semester 1/2: Supporting tutorials from internal academic supervisor

In relation to the RCSLT curriculum guidance, this module contributes to the mandatory placement hours (3.4.1). Students have the opportunity to work with a client for an intensive intervention programme, demonstrating applied knowledge of and speech and language therapy management for one of the client groups listed in 4.3.2.

This module contributes to the key graduate capabilities around research and evidence-based practice (4.2.4), with a focus on section A using the evidence base to support clinical reasoning and practice and section B research skills and methods. Students demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to understand and apply research to practice as well as carrying out a research project.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Research methods and statistics lectures will introduce foundational concepts. Student independent study to practise using statistical analysis software to become familiar/confident in using statistical tests as well as assimilate knowledge of qualitative methodology as it pertains to their practice placement. Interactive sessions discussing treatment study design, both from a quantitative and qualitative approaches and issue of clinical effectiveness from a research as well as purely clinical perspective. Clinical practice to allow independent work with a client, supported by supervision from practice educator to ensure assessment and intervention is appropriate for the client. Academic supervisor to advise on the design and write up of the study, including the analysis and interpretation of the data. One general tutorial will support students at the write up stage.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Data analysis test assesses the ability to identify variables, formulate hypotheses, analyse data appropriately with statistical software and interpret them.


Extended case report is a dissertation type project in which the student is required to write up their single case study, framing research question in the context of a literature review, analysing their data and interpret the findings in relation to current literature.

Reading Lists

• SPE8228's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• SPE8228's Timetable