NUR5015 - Evidence based Practice and Informed Decision Making

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1. Assess methodological strengths and limitations of a range of research approaches and explain factors affecting the quality of evidence informing decision making in healthcare practice.

2. Select and justify a contemporary research topic relating to your field of nursing practice.

3. Conduct a critical review of the academic literature relative to your chosen research topic.

4. Formulate a focused research question and select an appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative study design, method of data collection and analysis to address the research question.

5. Construct and justify a workable research proposal and accurately complete a research ethics application.

Content:

This module will develop your knowledge and skills of research concepts and methodologies including how research leads to the development and improvement of services in contemporary health and social care practice, and how to disseminate research findings. You will be able to identify a range of factors affecting the quality of the evidence base that informs decision making in health care practice, including, policy and legislation, ethical issues regarding research with people with protected characteristics, children, families, communities and other professionals, reliability, feasibility and validity, sampling techniques, data collection methods and how to reduce the impact of bias. You will understand different approaches and methods of research including: quantitative, qualitative and action research; how to collect data using different tools; the communication and relationship skills needed to conduct successful interviews and focus groups; how to analyse and interpret different types of data, such as statistics both descriptive and inferential using statistical software packages; and how to analyse qualitative data through content, thematic, narrative, and grounded theory analysis. You will understand how to engage minority and hard to reach groups in research such as people with LD, autism, ethnic minority groups to ensure equality, diversity and inclusion in research practice. You will apply and extend your knowledge gained from Level 4 of conducting literature reviews and understand the use of systematic reviews and how to develop research proposals and ethics applications. Finally, you will develop skills of critical appraisal and the use of tools to critically evaluate the evidence base, utilise service delivery evaluation and audit findings to bring about continuous improvement and explore the role of the nurse as researcher.

Learning and Teaching Information:

You will be taught in mixed field groups allowing you to benefit from others individual experiences and perspectives. Key lectures will be delivered to all fields together and seminars will be a combination of mixed field groups and some field specific groups where content and discussion has a specialised focus for a particular field of nursing expertise Research informed key lectures will introduce the weekly content of the module identifying theories/principles/concepts enabling you to develop your knowledge and skills. This will be supported by blended learning pre and post session activities on Moodle and you will be expected to engage with a range of activities including pre-reading to prepare you for lectures and follow-on activities to enable ongoing self and tutor assessment of your progress and application of knowledge and skills. The lecture content will be supported by seminars enabling smaller group discussion where you will consolidate your knowledge and critically engage with best evidence to support your professional development and to apply your learning to clinical practice, activities will include role play, problem-based learning, and practice-based scenario exploration. Where appropriate specialist practitioners and service users and carers will be invited to contribute to sessions to increase the authenticity of lived experience of the module content and highlight employability links. Learning styles will be supported by a variety of resources including videos, reading material, discussion and debate, e-learning modules, problem solving and practical tasks. You will be expected to utilise appropriate digital technologies and study skills to engage with additional resources and in independently directing your own learning.

Lectures
Hours: 42
Intended Group size: Full cohort

Seminars
Hours: 28
Intended Group size: 25

Guided independent study
Hours: 130

Further details relating to assessment

Post session activities submitted through Moodle will facilitate ongoing formative assessment opportunities via lecturer or peer feedback, these may include responses to case studies, quizzes, forum posts or blogs and self-assessment. One draft opportunity will be provided for each assessment task with feedback provided at least one week prior to summative submission.

(1). Research proposal: You will write research proposal based upon a topic related to your area of nursing practice, you will conduct a review of contemporary academic literature and formulate a research question and aims and objectives for your proposal. You will justify a research design and method for sampling, data collection and analysis, considering how to ensure reliability and validity so data are sound and replicable, and the results are accurate and to assure the integrity and quality of the study. You will also complete an ethics application for your study, including a consent form, participant information sheet and debrief form.

Word Count:
Research Proposal 2000 words
Ethics Application and Associated Forms 750 words.

The assessments will allow you to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of concepts and methodologies relevant to evidence-based practice, research and informed decision making as applied to nursing practice.

Note that compensation is not permitted. This component must be passed at a minimum of 40% (NMC regulations).

Assessment:

001 Research Proposal; 2750 words; End Block 3 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5NUR3

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