Glossa 147 Editorial

Integrating research into speech and language therapy practice.A look at the Order of 11 March 2026 concerning the training programmeleading to the profession of speech and language therapist

Abstract

The annual competition for the best article derived from a speech and language therapy master’s dissertation highlights the commitment of newly qualified speech and language therapists to research and their contribution to the advancement of speech and language therapy sciences. This initiative is fully aligned with the reform of the curriculum introduced by the Decree of 11 March 2026, which recognizes research as a core component of professional training alongside clinical competencies. The revised curriculum seeks to cultivate a scientific, reflective, and ethical professional stance grounded in the critical use of evidence, mastery of research methodology and hypothetico-deductive reasoning, collaboration with patients and their families, and transparent scientific communication. Throughout their training, students progressively acquire the competencies required to identify clinical or scientific problems, formulate research questions and hypotheses, collect and analyse reliable data, make evidence-informed decisions, and critically evaluate outcomes. Beyond the acquisition of methodological knowledge, research training is intended to strengthen evidence-based practice and support continuous quality improvement in clinical care. Research thus becomes an essential tool for clinical decision-making and professional development. This ambition is exemplified by the three winning teams of the 2025 competition, whose contributions are published in Issue 147 of Glossa