Introduction to Clinical Research Methods with Philip Malloy PT, Ph.D.

Course Description

This course is designed for physical therapists, occupational therapists and health care professionals of all specialty areas looking to expand their critical inquiry for the application of evidence into clinical practice. This 2 hour course reviews the research process and will provide an overview for how to critically analyze different types of research. Learners will understand how to set up different study designs, sampling methods, data collection and considerations to make with data processing. Following the completion of this course the learner will be able to apply principles of evidence-based practice in patient/client management. They will be able to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of examination tools, interventions, and technologies based on available evidence. A primary focus of the course is how to disseminate research findings to then decide if the clinician should incorporate the findings into their own clinical practice. This course was designed as a didactic teaching tool for residents and fellows to meet the required learning dimensions for critical inquiry principles and methods for accredited residency and fellowship programs within the APTA.

Intended Audience

This course is specially designed for allied health professionals to expand their understanding of clinical research methods and the application of evidence into clinical practice.

Course Objectives

After the presentation, participants shall be able to:

  1. understand general context to the research process
  2. implement measurement theory and define levels of measure
  3. define validity and reliability in the context of measurement
  4. describe different types of validity and reliability
  5. describe a roadmap for the clinical research process
  6. define different study designs and sampling methods
  7. describe basic data collection and processing considerations
  8. define data analysis methods and interpretations
  9. give examples of different ways to disseminate research findings

Continuing Education Credit

2 CEU's will be awarded by Marquette University following successful completion of an online quiz.

Faculty - Phil Malloy PT, Ph.D.

Philip Malloy Dr. Philip Malloy is an assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pennsylvania and holds a visiting assistant professor appointment in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. Dr. Malloy received his master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Nazareth College in 2003 and a Ph.D. in Clinical and Translational Rehabilitation Health Science with an emphasis in biomechanics from Marquette University in 2017. After his PhD, Dr. Malloy completed a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship in orthopedic biomechanics at Rush University Medical Center. Between receiving his PT and PhD degrees Dr. Malloy was in full time clinical practice for 10 years in a variety of orthopedic and sports medicine settings. His clinical and research interest are in the diagnosis and treatment of non-arthritic hip pain. The goal of Dr. Malloy’s research is to understand the neuromusculoskeletal mechanisms underlying biomechanical alterations in people with non-arthritic hip pain. His research also focuses on understanding the clinical, structural and functional factors that contribute to patient outcomes following hip arthroscopic surgery with the goal of developing evidence based postoperative rehabilitation guidelines for these patients. Dr. Malloy’s research has been funded by Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, philanthropic giving, and through industry partnerships.