Understanding Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Communication Disorders: A Primer for Students and Practitioners, 1st edition

Section I:  Introduction to Research in Communication Disorders

 

Chapter 1:  The Importance of Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders

 

·        Learning Objectives

·        Preconceived notions

·        The role of research in making a profession(al) credible

·        Three examples of professional credibility

·        Our professional literature and the information base

·        The scientific method and clinical work:  The notion of clinician-researcher

·        Common research misconceptions

·        Parallels in clinical and research skills:  Diagnosis

·        Parallels in clinical and research skills:  Treatment

·        The benefits of becoming a clinician-researcher

·        Chapter Summary

·        Learning Activities

 

Section II:  The Nature of Scientific Inquiry and Essentials of Experimental Control 

 

Chapter 2:  Scientific Principles and Methods Used by Researchers

 

·        Learning Objectives

·        Sinister stereotypes

·        Ways of knowing about the world

·        Characteristics of science

·        The Systematic Nature of Science: Scientific method

o       Experimental Control

o       The Public Nature of Science

o       Replication in Science

o       The Empirical Nature of Science

o       Probabilistic Knowledge

·        Ethical issues in research

·        Junk science, pseudoscience and quackery

·        Chapter Summary

·        Learning Activities

 

   Chapter 3:  Crafting Scientific and Answerable Questions

 

·        Learning Objectives

·        Theories, problems, hypotheses and questions