Doctor of Chiropractic

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Doctor of Chiropractic is to develop a practitioner beyond that of clinical practice, to be able to contribute independently to the development of significant and original knowledge, at an advanced level in the Chiropractic field. The research problem, its justification, process and outcome are reported in a thesis, which complies with the generally accepted norms for research at this level.

Rationale

The Chiropractic profession in South Africa is a small but developing profession, with the start of education and training in 1989 at the institution. This primary education and training culminated in the learners achieving a Master of Technology in Chiropractic (replaced with the Master of Health Sciences in Chiropractic) which provided an avenue for professional registration with The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa. The current education and training have allowed the profession to develop from just under 100 practitioners in the early 1990s to approximately 800 practitioners in 2019. The upward trajectory of study from the Master's qualification is a Doctoral qualification. Chiropractic graduates and practitioners are seeking opportunities to develop specialisation, further study opportunities and the ability to contribute to knowledge development in their discipline. Thus, the Doctor of Chiropractic would provide such an avenue. From a professional vantage point, this also signifies that the profession in South Africa is ready to take the next step in the development of the profession, which requires researchers to underpin this development. Therefore, the profession is necessary to develop further practitioners who have an interest in research and academia allowing for the profession to develop further and grow as well as integrate with the health services provision in South Africa.

From an educational vantage point, the rationale for this qualification is to allow for an avenue for original knowledge contribution in the field of Chiropractic. Practitioners achieving this qualification would thus be competent scientific researchers who can work independently to develop and apply knowledge and skills that support the global knowledge or technology in the field of Chiropractic with the specific emphasis on the South African context and supporting the Department of Health's National Development Strategies and milestones.

The qualification may be achieved in part through RPL, as stated in the revised institution's RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Health Sciences in Chiropractic, NQF Level 9.

This qualification consist of the compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits

• Research and Dissertation, 360 Credits.

1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the field or area of investigation.
2. Apply research methods and techniques appropriately and correctly to make an original contribution to global knowledge and insight in the particular field or discipline chosen.
3. Critically analyse, evaluate and interpret the research findings.
4. Report the findings in a thesis and scientific format for international consumption.
5. Demonstrate the capacity to work independently.

Associated Assessment Criteria 1

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding and contribution to knowledge in the investigated area.

Associated Assessment Criteria 2

• Demonstrate the appropriate use of research methodology and skills to produce the research.

Associated Assessment Criteria 3

• Demonstrate critical analysis and interpretation of research findings.

Associated Assessment Criteria 4

• Demonstrate the ability to write scientifically at the level for international acceptance.

Associated Assessment Criteria 5

• Demonstrate the ability to work independently.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices are the following

• Oral and written presentations of the proposed research project to Department or Faculty Research Committee.
• Research proposal approval through Departmental Research Committee, Faculty Research Committee and Institutional Research and Ethics Committee (where necessary).
• Written progress reports - provided annually, via the Department to the Faculty Research Committee.
• Regular meetings with the supervisor/s to discuss and evaluate progress.

Summative assessment

A thesis either by monograph or through publication (in alignment with the institution policy on Doctorate by publication) submitted for examination will contribute 100% of the final mark.