RESEARCH & EVIDENCE CLUB
(Question • Appraise • Apply)
About
Research & Evidence Club is the Faculty of Physical Therapy’s platform for evidence-based practice, where students read, question, and discuss current research in plain language. Through a monthly journal club, critical appraisal and methodology workshops, and a supported yearly research project or conference poster, the club prepares students for postgraduate study and strengthens the faculty’s research profile.
Vision
To produce graduates who do not simply follow clinical protocols but can trace them back to the evidence, judge how strong that evidence is, and update their practice when it changes.
Mission
To run a monthly journal club that explains recent research in accessible language, to teach the practical tools of critical appraisal and research methods, and to support at least one small student research project or conference poster each academic year — strengthening both individual student capability and the faculty’s research profile.
Key Focus Areas
- Critical appraisal: study design, sample size, bias, and what a result actually means clinically.
- Translating research findings into bedside decisions for common musculoskeletal, neurological, and sports conditions.
- Research methodology and ethics fundamentals for undergraduate projects.
- Basic biostatistics explained without mathematical jargon.
- Academic writing, referencing, and responsible use of AI tools in research.
- Preparing abstracts and posters for student and national conferences.
Expected Activities
- A monthly journal club discussing one recent paper in plain language.
- Critical appraisal workshops using structured tools (PICO question building, appraisal checklists).
- “Statistics Made Simple” sessions before project season.
- Research proposal clinics where students bring an idea and leave with a feasible question.
- Reference manager and literature search training.
- Guest talks from faculty researchers and postgraduate students.
Expected Outputs / Impact
- At least one student research project or conference poster produced each academic year.
- Evidence of student research activity supporting the research criterion in academic accreditation.
- Students better prepared for postgraduate study, scholarships, and research grants.
- A raised academic reputation for the faculty through visible student output.
- An accessible archive of appraised paper summaries available to all students.
Potential Projects
- A student poster submitted to a national or regional physical therapy conference.
- A plain-language “Paper of the Month” bulletin circulated across the faculty.
- A small survey or observational study conducted within the faculty student body.
- A series of one-page evidence summary sheets for commonly treated conditions.
- A shared student-built database of appraised papers organised by clinical topic.
