This module provides a general overview and serves as an introduction to the elements of a case study research report. In addition, it reviews the importance of and the relative merits of case study reporting as well as research hierarchy and a comparison of the various types of research.

The systematic construction of each section of a case study report is covered utilizing an actual paper from the peer reviewed literature. The student is instructed in the necessary content for each section in detail. Focused time is spent reviewing the intervention and outcomes sections especially as it is related to reporting and describing technique specific methods and the discussion of models of subluxation as applied to the case. How to handle ancillary procedures, the outcomes section (both subjective and objective) is covered. Details regarding how to describe mechanisms of action in relation to the chiropractic interventions and outcomes are discussed.

A thorough review of the submission and peer review process is undertaken in an effort to improve the likelihood that a submitted paper will go on to be published and to give the student an general understanding of the process involved from pre-submission to submission through publication. Topics include: instructions for authors, picking a journal to submit to, the theory and practice of peer review, the peer review process, stages of the peer review process, how to handle rejection, scientific misconduct issues, authorship issues, editorial autonomy, copyright assignment, informed consent and indexing related issues.

The Importance of Research to the Chiropractic Profession. This module will focus on the profession’s ethical and moral responsibility to conduct research. The lecture will also cover: The importance of research related to health policy, worldviews and their relationship to research, the general nature and structure of the research enterprise, cultural issues related to research and the chiropractic profession, research funding issues, epidemiological issues related to vertebral subluxation, the clinical meaningfulness of vertebral subluxation, politics, practice and research in chiropractic, examples of research successes in chiropractic.