Syllabus for
Research Process (OCTH 725)

Details:
OCTH 725: The Research Process
Spring Semester, 2007
1 Credit hour

OCTH 725 meets on Tuesdays from 1:00pm - 3:00pm in 1025 Orr-Major, between April 09th to May 25th.

Instructor:
Jeff Radel, Ph.D
Office:
Occupational Therapy Education Dept.
Rm. 3033 Robinson, KUMC
Tel: (913) 588-7195
Office hours: by appointment

Click here to send Jeff e-mail.

The unfortunate reality is that faculty members do have responsibilities other than those related to students. Please understand that even if I am not available when you stop by the office, I am committed to responding to the needs of students. If I'm not unavailable, take the time to send an e-mail message or to leave a note with a secretary indicating other possible meeting times and a telephone number where you may be reached. I will contact you as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

In this lecture course (OCTH 725) I intend to outline the research process, introduce components of research, and describe ways in which research may be conducted - from beginning a literature search, to actually and designing an experiment, to collecting and analyzing data, and writing a discussion of the findings.

In your final term of this program you will acquire actual research experience through conducting an actual research project (in OCTH 790 - Research Practicum; 3 credits) with a mentor. You also will explore the mechanics of writing the research report as part of this course, which culminates with an oral presentation and a written report of your project and findings.

Guiding Principle: Understanding the research process is a key element for developing occupational therapy principles and guiding practice.

Course Description:
OCTH 725 (Research Process) is an introduction to the scientific method as it applies to occupational therapy, including problem identification, design, methodology, and evaluation. Research consumer skills are a major focus so that students may profit from professional literature and contribute to efforts of this nature.

Concept map: The Concept Map is a visual summary of the course content and how that content will be approached.

Key Questions: As this courses progresses, students will consider the following questions:

  1. Why is conducting research important to Occupational Therapy?
  2. What does it mean to be a researcher on a research project?
  3. What distinguishes qualitative, descriptive, and experimental research paradigms?
  4. Why are research ethics essential for research, and what is the purpose of an Institutional Review Board?
  5. How do researchers conduct descriptive data analyses, and how are inferential statistics used?
  6. How does a consumer of research intelligently critique research studies appearing in research, clinical practice, or popular literatures?
Teaching/Learning Experiences: An introduction to the research process will be provided through lecture format and class discussion. The anticipated outcome of this experience is production of an entry-level occupational therapist who is aware of the relation between good research and good practice, is capable of critical analysis of scientific and clinical research literatures, is aware of the need for problem identification, good research design and methodology, and the appropriate evaluation, interpretation, and presentation of research findings.

Required Texts/Materials:
(a word to the wise - you'll also need these textbooks for the OCTH727 and OCTH790 courses...)

  1. Cozby, Paul C. Methods In Behavioral Research (2004). McGraw-Hill (8th ed.) ISBN: 0072523425

  2. American Psychological Association (2001). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.) Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
You may also find this collection of web-based research resources to be helpful during this course.

Attendance Policy: Students will attend all lectures, arriving prior to the beginning of the lecture and leaving only after the lecture has concluded. An anticipated absence should be discussed with the instructor prior to that lecture.

Performance Expectations/Evaluation Methods/Grading Scale: The grade earned in OCTH 725 will be based on a series of assignments. Each assignment will be worth 25 points (150 points are possile in this course). The final grade will be determined according to the following scale:

A 90% or higher overall
B 80-89% overall
C 70-79% overall
D 65-69% overall
F below 65%

Additional information:

Academic Supports and Accommodations: Learning assistance, academic performance enhancement and psychological services at KUMC are free, confidential, and available at Student Counseling & Educational Support Services (Tel: 913-588-6580) or visiting G116 Student Center.

Professional Writing: Writing is an essential skill in professional practice. Developing skill in professional and technical writing is an important aspect of your learning within this curriculum. To support this learning, I will consider elements of language use in the grading of written communications, including grammar, word choice, spelling, punctuation, style, and content. If you need help with your writing, please contact the Student Center at ext. 8-6580 or visit the KU Writing Center.

Accomodations: Any student in this course who needs an accommodation because of a disability in order to complete the course requirements should contact the instructor or the Equal Opportunity/Disability Specialist (913.588.7813; TDD 913-588-7963) as soon as possible so that appropriate accommodations may be considered.

Academic and Professional Conduct: The nature of the advanced level of activities in this curriculum must be based upon mutual trust and respect. It is the expectation of each instructor that each student will engage in the learning process respectfully and with highest ethical standards for self and others. Please refer to the School of Allied Health Student Handbook for the policy regarding academic misconduct. Reported acts of academic or non-academic misconduct will be referred to the departmental Academic Integrity and Professional Standards Systems (AIPSS) for investigation and resolution.

I encourage all students to read the School of Allied Health's Student Handbook (link downloads a .pdf file) for policies regarding academic and non-academic misconduct.

Weather Policy: The KU Medical Center's standard policy is to remain open for business as a medical institution and as an academic institution in spite of weather conditions (even though KU-Lawrence may not be having classes). Use common sense and plan ahead - you are responsible for all material presented as part of this seminar.

Student Responsibility: Any student who does not understand and/or accept the contents and terms of this syllabus must notify the instructor in writing within one week after receiving this syllabus.

For a schedule of class meeting times, topics to be covered, and assigned materials, please refer visit Course Timetable on-line.

NOTE: This electronic version of the course syllabus for OCTH 725 is provided as a service to the academic community at KUMC. It is superseded by the hardcopy version of the course syllabus provided to each enrolled student.

End of OCTH 725 syllabus

Comments? Send e-mail to Jeff Radel

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