Date: Ongoing via Distance Learning

Cost: US$75

This course introduces the why and how of clinical research in the field of equine clinical practice. Topics include the different types of research (clinical and epidemiological), different forms of research reviews and research study design, and how to critically review a scientific manuscript using an accepted format of literary citation.

This self-paced course is designed for anyone involved in the field of equine clinical care, with a specific emphasis on sports medicine and rehabilitation. Students are invited to the AASS and Equinology Equine Clinical Research Methodology Facebook group, so they can ask questions and share resources.

The objectives for this course are as follows:
  • To understand why clinical research is carried out
  • To compare clinical versus epidemiological/descriptive versus quantifiable approaches to research
  • To identify overview studies on a specific topic
  • To define elements of methodology of a research study
  • To gain a basic understanding of statistical significance in study results
  • To understand how to interpret and critique a scientific publication
  • To gain awareness of pitfalls, challenges, and reliability of research
  • How to use the Harvard format for literary citation
  • How to avoid plagiarism in literary citation
Participants need access to a computer and a good internet service.
This course is offered on a pass-fail basis. Participants must complete an online True-False examination (open-book format), and provide a written critique of a scientific manuscript, from a choice of two manuscripts that are provided.

Upon successful completion, a certificate of completion is sent via email for the student to download and print.

Nicole attained the ITEC human massage qualification in 1997, the Equinology Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1998 and the Equinology Master Equine Body Worker ® certification in 1999 and has since taken most of the courses in the Equinology Extension certification series. She also completed the post-graduate and Master of Science degree programmes in Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and University of Wales in the United Kingdom. She earned her PhD in 2013 from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. Her main interest lies in the effect of complementary therapies on equine performance, and the subject for her doctoral research was investigation into equine neck pain from the perspectives of pathology, neuromotor control and equine behaviour associated with spinal dysfunction. Nicole is the president of Equinenergy Ltd. (www.equinenergy.com) and Caninenergy Ltd. (www.caninenergy.com) in the United Kingdom. From 2003 to 2009 she was based in São Paulo, Brazil where she worked in direct liaison with various veterinary clinics, focusing on sports therapy for performance horses from novice to Olympic level. She travelled to national competition centres and private clients throughout Brazil and in other South American countries. In addition, she carried out infrared thermographic imaging (thermography) in conjunction with equine veterinarians to aid their diagnostic procedures. She also uses thermography to assess hoof balance, saddle fit and changes in thermal patterns following sports therapy sessions. Nicole regularly lectures at various universities and for professional associations. She travels within the USA and to Europe and Brazil on a regular basis, to teach some of the modules of the Equinology course curriculum and to work on her established clientele of horses and dogs. She is currently based in Petaluma, California. In addition to clinical consultations, she is the Course Development Liaison Manager for Equinology, Inc., in charge of national and international expansion of the Equinology course curriculum. In her spare time she produces her own horses for dressage and showjumping competitions, and she holds Brazilian state and national amateur championship titles.
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