Understanding Physiotherapy Research

The requirement for physiotherapists to engage with evidence-based practice has never been more apparent and the benefits of such an approach are clear. Evidence derived from research is a cornerstone of evidence-based practice, but before such evidence can be incorporated into an evidence-based paradigm, it should be appraised and its trustworthiness and applicability considered. This means that evidence-based physiotherapy practitioners need to be aware of the inherent strengths and limitations of research studies and what these mean for their practice.

However, this is not always a straightforward process and it is not uncommon for both novice and experienced physiotherapists to become lost in the language of research. To facilitate the evolution of evidence-based physiotherapy practice, this book aims to bridge the gap by presenting a clinically focused range of methodological discussions in relation to specific research study designs in physiotherapy. The intention of the book is to offer a platform upon which readers can develop their understanding of meaningful critical appraisal and consequently gain confidence when reading published research.