Workshop

Evaluating the evidence. Methodological rigour and all that

Date: 13th February 2026 and 13th March 2026 - 9:00am - 5:00pm in person only

Location: February - Susan Wakil Health Building, Room 322, The University of Sydney; March - Newcastle University, Room TBC

Presenters: Dr Paul Gertler, Clinical Psychologist and Director of NeuroBITE at the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, USYD

Who is this workshop for? This workshop is for allied health, nursing and medical staff working in neurorehabilitation who wish to improve their knowledge of evidence-based practice and who might be considering undertaking some research themselves; and researchers and students wanting an introductory overview to evaluating scientific literature in neurorehabilitation. 

Synopsis: This full-day workshop provides a practical introduction to understanding and evaluating research methods commonly used in the neurorehabilitation literature. Participants will explore the different types of research designs including randomised controlled trials and non-RCTs, single-case experimental designs (SCEDs) and systematic reviews with meta-analyses. The session will unpack the concept of “methodological rigour” and introduce to participants how to critically appraise the quality of both group studies and SCEDs.

Through interactive discussion and hands-on problem-solving activities, attendees will gain the tools to confidently search through research papers and to understand how this research can be critically appraised. By the end of the workshop, participants will have developed emerging skills in identifying methodological strengths and weaknesses and will be equipped with practical strategies to find research to inform their clinical practice so that participants can truly appreciate what it means do conduct evidence-based practice.

Learning objectives/outcomes:

1. Be informed about the different research methodologies within the neurorehabilitation literature

2. Understand what “methodological rigour” means

3. Have an initial understanding of factors influencing the methodological quality of a. group studies (randomised controlled trials, non-RCTs, etc.) b. single-case experimental designs (SCEDs) c. systematic reviews and meta-analysis

Cost:
ASSBI Members: $149
Non-Members: $189
Student Members: $99
LMIC: $99
Student Non-Members: $149 (join ASSBI for free)

Biographic Information: Dr Paul Gertler, Clinical Psychologist and Director of NeuroBITE at the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, USYD

Paul is the Director of NeuroBITE, the neuro-rehabilitation research resource and is a research affiliate of the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research at The University of Sydney. NeuroBITE is a platform that collates research about interventions for neurorehabilitation. Central to NeuroBITE is the grading of the methodological rigour of research. Any profits from this workshop will go directly to supporting the ongoing work of NeuroBITE, which Paul works for in a voluntary capacity. 

Paul has more than 25 years of experience as a clinical psychologist, mostly in the field of brain injury rehabilitation. He is active in research and has a strong publication record, with 15 journal articles, a forthcoming book chapter as co-author, and over 10 conference presentations. He completed a PhD in 2020 investigating treatments for depression after traumatic brain injury. The PhD included a Cochrane systematic review and single-case experimental design (SCED) trials. Paul is a guest lecturer on the post-gradual psychology programmes at UNSW and WSU and provides clinical supervision to intern and registrar clinical psychologists. Paul is an active member of ASSBI and has made several conference presentations including at ASSBI, INS, CCN and Brain Injury Australia conferences.