Baccalaureate student research

Practitioners must have the ability to investigate and add to the orthotic and prosthetic body of knowledge. Likewise, the ability to critically review research is essential. Recognizing this, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas Prosthetics-Orthotics Program has, over the past eight years, designed its curriculum to culminate in a senior research project demonstrating the students' mastery of the essential tools required to perform research. It begins with coursework in statistics and computer skills prior to acceptance. Early in the prosthetics-orthotics curriculum, students are introduced to available campus resources. Students gain experience in research methods through a series of seminars and a scientific inquiry course. During their senior year, students conduct research and present the findings in written, oral and poster forms. Several senior projects have been published in professional journals. Established guidelines assist students and their faculty research advisers in successfully carrying out the projects. Any student or faculty research endeavors at the university are monitored by the Institutional Review Board, Office of Grants Management and the program itself. Student researchers also may contribute to ongoing faculty research and conduct pilot studies. Graduates trained in research methods have the potential to make meaningful contributions to the field.