GHS5841 - Research and evidence for practice - 2018

Research is integral to nursing practice. As leaders in clinical practice, education or management, it is essential that Master's-prepared nurses have the skills to effectively consume, produce and apply research knowledge to ensure that practice is based on appropriate and critiqued evidence. This unit will provide students with the theoretical knowledge required to evaluate research evidence for use in clinical practice, education or management, and will prepare students to undertake their own research project.

Upon successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Identify relevant and significant nursing issues for investigation.
2. Analyse varying understandings of the nature of evidence and the process of evidence-based practice.
3. Critically analyse various approaches to nursing research.
4. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies and research designs.
5. Apply appropriate research methodologies and designs to specific nursing questions.
6. Identify, apply and defend the use of appropriate strategies for collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data within specific methodological frameworks.
7. Locate, critically appraise and synthesise research evidence relating to nursing questions.
8. Analyse the principles of ethical research conduct and discuss their application in practice.
9. Identify and analyse breaches of academic and research integrity.
10. Analyse strategies to achieve rigour in specific research methodologies.

• Research portfolio (3,000 words) (20%)
• Written assignment (5,000 words) (35%)
• Open book examination (2 hours) (40%) (Hurdle)
• 2 x Formative Quizzes (5%)
• Additional hurdle requirement: Completion of Academic Integrity Modules and quizzes (score of at least 80%)

Nursing