Available in 2024
Course code

PDTY1012

Units

10 units

Level

1000 level

Course handbook

Description

This course will introduce skills for finding and using the best available evidence in health. This begins with understanding thinking systems, biases and why we don't often accept, or respond, to facts, science and evidence. Students will learn the evidence-based practice process to formulate questions and find them appropriate and relevant evidence from the unending amount of information available. The course covers key concepts in how to read and understand a research paper. Students will develop skills for communicating evidence to strengthen arguments in academic writing and professional practice.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Ourimbah

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Recognise personal thinking styles and associated biases

2. Describe the reasons for the 5 steps of evidence-based practice

3. Design a sensitive and specific PICO search strategy to find best available evidence

4. Identify type, level and key research concepts in journal articles

5. Integrate strength and relevance of evidence findings into academic writing


Content

  1. Critical thinking
    • Introduction to epistemology
    • System 1 and 2 thinking
    • Heuristics, biases and certainty
    • Why we don't believe the facts
    • Ethics and evidence
    • Reflective practice
  2. Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Process
    • 5-step EBP process
    • Step 1 Formulating questions
    • Step 2 Sources of evidence
    • Search strategies
    • Information literacy
    • Reader bias
  3. How to read a paper
    • Article sections
    • Types of research
    • Levels of evidence
    • Key research concepts (e.g. measurement, reliability, validity, causality, probability)
  4. Communicating evidence
    • Integrating evidence in writing
    • Evidence justification
    • Evidence summaries

Requisite

Student must be active in program [50021] Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine or [50022] Bachelor of Podiatric Medicine (Honours).


Assessment items

Quiz: Intra-session Exam

Written Assignment: PICO Search and Search Strategy

Report: Report

Formal Examination: Final Exam


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Ourimbah

Lecture-1
  • Online 1 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Self-Directed Learning-1
  • Self-Directed 0.5 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 1.5 hour(s) per week(s) for 12 week(s) starting in week 1

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.