dis504 translating evidence in disability prac
TRANSLATING EVIDENCE INTO DISABILITY PRACTICE
DIS504
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
Disability policies and practice have often been more informed by values and ideology than evidence or theory. Contemporary disability practice is informed by multiple sources of knowledge derived from lived experience, theory and research evidence In this subject students will explore the unique contributions that each of these makes to effective practice. Students will also learn to identify the empirical or theoretical underpinnings of practice with individuals and design of programs and to judge the strength and weaknesses of these: Areas covered will be tailored to student interest and existing work places but may include, approaches to communications supports, person-centred active support, practice leadership, positive behaviour support, support for decision making, accommodation support, and skills teaching. Students will learn how to connect theories and evidence used in disability practice to other fields of health and social care and by a range of disciplines.
SchoolSchool Allied Health,Human Serv & Sport
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorTeresa Iacono
Available to Study Abroad StudentsNo
Subject year levelYear Level 5 - Masters
Exchange StudentsNo
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Must be admitted into HOUA
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects ADP5TED
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Synthesise information, concepts and theories surrounding areas of selected disability practice.
- Activities:
- Reading activities and scenarios to draw themes from in relation to the current #research landscape#, including current topics of interest, in disability practice and where these concepts have been drawn from # e.g., health/other disciplines.
02. Interpret and transmit information about the different types of knowledge used in disability practice.
- Activities:
- Reading activities and online discussions to highlight the dearth of empirical evidence extant in implementing approaches in disability practice. Scenarios also provided for consideration.
03. Reflect critically on the values and ideologies that inform contemporary aspects of disability practice.
- Activities:
- Assess a type of program or intervention being used within an agency in relation to the values and ideologies that have informed such practice and where these have been derived from.
04. Critically evaluate the effectiveness and impact of types of interventions or programs in disability practice.
- Activities:
- Use scenarios provided to assess a type of program or intervention being used within an agency in relation to its effectiveness and impact. In doing so, students will judge the strengths and weaknesses of the intervention or program.
05. Justify the need for an alternative intervention or program in disability practice.
- Activities:
- Review cases of current practices and justify an alternate approach to the intervention or program that is evidence-based rather than non-empirical and addresses the weaknesses in the former approach.
06. Communicate research findings effectively and sensitively with colleagues, clients and the public.
- Activities:
- Students to read, write and present research findings in the form of reports that would be acceptable to the social sciences and for different audiences.
Subject options
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Online, 2019, Semester 1, Online
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorTeresa Iacono
Class requirements
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 15.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability Research Landscape Review (1,500-word equivalent) | Students to undertake a brief review of literature addressing a chosen topic and map underlying ideology/ values/ philosophies. Identify types and sources of knowledge and research approaches reflected in the literature gathered. | 30 | 01, 02 |
| Foundations Essay (1,500-word equivalent) | Differentiate between ideology, theory and evidence as foundations to a program intervention or approach seen in disability practice (i.e., a chosen topic). | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 06 |
| Agency Intervention or Program Evaluation (2,500 words) | Evaluate a particular program intervention or approach that has been adopted in disability practice (i.e., chosen topic), including: the theory underpinning it, critique of the research and evidence. Consider translation/ transfer of knowledge to practice and policy. Discuss how it would be adopted in a current setting or identify and justify an alternate approach | 40 | 01, 02, 04, 05, 06 |