Skip to main content
Unit of study_

OCCP3102: Using and Generating Evidence in OT

Intensive May, 2023 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Evidence Based Practice is the cornerstone of modern service delivery approaches in all healthcare settings. In this unit of study, students will learn and apply modern approaches to Evidence Based Practice and will explore challenging questions such as, How do I integrate client centred and person directed planning approaches with concepts of Evidence Based Practice? How do I approach situations where there is limited evidence to guide my interventions? How can I establish rigorous evaluation approaches to ensure my interventions are achieving the desired outcomes, and How can I develop practice based quality improvement and research projects to help general evidence to support best practice? This unit will be delivered in block mode alongside Practice Education placements, so students will have the opportunity to use their practice based experiences to explore and apply the content of this unit in their practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code OCCP3102
Academic unit Participation Sciences
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
OCCP4089
Prerequisites
? 
OCCP2105
Corequisites
? 
OCCP3101
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Justin Scanlan, justin.scanlan@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Kate Thomson, kate.thomson@sydney.edu.au
Justin Scanlan, justin.scanlan@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Portfolio of small tasks
Portfolio of small tasks completed in preparation and in-class activities.
60% Week 08
Due date: 20 Apr 2023 at 18:00
Approximately 3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Evaluation proposal
Evaluation proposal for a proposed or existing program
40% Week 09
Due date: 30 Apr 2023 at 23:59
Approx 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Assessment 1: Portfolio of small tasks
Within block mode workshops, students will engage in small learning teams to develop, refine and apply a variety of skills required to meet the learning outcomes. These will be embedded within 6 small tasks that are completed regularly throughout the block. Formative feedback will be provided through peer review and appraisal as well as general “whole-of-class” feedback. This feedback will then be integrated by students to enhance their final responses. The original submissions, peer feedback and appraisal and revised submissions (updated based on peer review and general feedback) will then be compiled and submitted as a portfolio of learning. Submitted in hard copy at the end of Workshop 3.


Assessment 2: Evaluation Proposal
Drawing together all aspects of learning, students will prepare an evaluation proposal for an occupational therapy program. Guided by a structured template, students will identify existing knowledge and knowledge gaps and outcome measures suitable to be implemented in the evaluation. Programs to be evaluated could be ones that students have observed during placement experiences in Practice Education 2 or could be a program to address a need identified by the student or their learning team.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Outstanding level of achievement: Moves well beyond what would normally be expected for the student’s level of learning.  The work is structured appropriately, deeply analytical and well supported.

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent level of achievement: Clearly structured and presented.  Ideas/arguments are well articulated and systematically presented.  All tasks set by the assessment item are completed.  Work is comprehensive, analytical and presents evidence of critical thinking.

Credit

65 - 74

Above average level of achievement:  Incorporates many of the aspects listed above but without the same degree of analysis or critical thinking.  Demonstrates a sound understanding of the content.

Pass

50 - 64

Acceptable level of achievement: Work submitted meets the basic requirements of the set task.  Demonstrates a basic understanding of the topic/issue/concern but is less precise and less discriminating than higher level responses.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Mid-semester break Self-directed preparation activities Individual study (8 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
13 April: Workshop 2: Evidence based practice in occupational therapy part 2. Critical appraisal and application of finding to practice and practice redesign. Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Self-directed preparation activities. Individual study (8 hr) LO1 LO4
6 April: Workshop 1: Evidence based practice in occupational therapy part 1. Applying questions and searching the literature. Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 08 Self-directed preparation activities Individual study (8 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
20 April: Workshop 3: Program evaluation and research planning: Outcome measures for occupational therapy practice. Program logic and research planning. Block teaching (6 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Self-directed preparation activities Individual study (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
27 April. Workshop 4: Program evaluation and research planning: Developing your program proposal. Block teaching (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at all 4 workshops is mandatory. Any absence needs to be approved via special considerations process.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Please see detailed list on canvas site.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply skills in literature searching and critical appraisal tools to source and evaluate research evidence to underpin evidence-informed practice in occupational therapy
  • LO2. Describe the value of outcome measurement as a key component of evidence-informed OT practice
  • LO3. Apply appraisal tools and guidelines to intervention research and outcome measures suited to occupational therapy interventions
  • LO4. Apply modern evidence-based practice approaches, especially in the context of consumer-directed service contexts and in contexts where evidence may be limited
  • LO5. Critically evaluate and analyse approaches to outcome measurement and evaluation to ensure culturally responsive and culturally safe service delivery is supported
  • LO6. Articulate the components of program logic and apply to evaluation and outcome measurement in occupational therapy programs.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first year this unit has been delivered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.