The architecture of scientific research

This anniversary issue of the Australian Journal of Physiotherapy brings the first of a new feature called Research Notes. Research Notes are short explanations of selected aspects of research methodology. Some will be simple and accessible introductions and others will deal with more complex issues.The forerunner of Research Notes was a series of articles published by leading Dutch physiotherapy researchers in Nederland Tijdschrift voor Fysiotherapie. A collection of these articles was published as a book. The editors of that book have kindly arranged for translation of selected articles for publication as Research Notes in the Australian Journal of Physiotherapy. These translated Research Notes will be supplemented by contributions from other experts in research methods.The first Research Note, by Ostelo, de Vet and van Beek, is titled ‘The architecture of scientific research.’ It provides an overview of some of the main methods used in quantitative clinical research. Subsequent Research Notes will look in more detail at specific aspects of the design and analysis of clinical research