The process of developing research proposals, identifying funding sources, and forming a grant application can be daunting for physicians, residents, nurses, and allied health professionals. To help clarify the process for clinicians and to address the need for enhanced research training among rehabilitation professionals, a research methodology course has been developed. The objective of this training program is to develop the research skills of rehabilitation clinicians that are at a beginning to intermediate level. Modules in this training program include:

• Research Design Overview: Prospective vs. Retrospective Designs. Randomized Controlled Trials, Between Groups Designs, Quasi-Experimental Designs, Case Study Designs
• Measurement and Test Design Issues: Reliability, Validity, Sensitivity, Specificity
• Survey Questionnaire Development: Asking the Right Questions in a Clear Way
• Selecting, Recruiting, and Retaining Research Participants
• Patients as Human Subjects: Ethical Issues in Obtaining Informed Consent
• Statistics for Clinical Studies
• Budget Development: Planning for Staffing, Equipment, Supplies, Indirect Costs

This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, Grant Number H133B980021

©2002 Rehabilitation Research and Training Center