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Session: 2022/23

Last modified: 18/01/2023 12:31:46

Title of Module: Evidence Led Enquiry

Code: NURS09234 SCQF Level: 9
(Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework)
Credit Points: 40 ECTS: 20
(European Credit Transfer Scheme)
School:School of Health and Life Sciences
Module Co-ordinator:Audrey  Cund

Summary of Module

This module asks the student to identify, explore and outline an aspect of contemporary practice that requires further investigation. This may be developed from an area of personal interest or a problem defined in clinical practice. The student will then undertake independent study to investigate and critique the literature on the chosen subject leading to proposed changes in this field of practice.

Students have the opportunity to be innovative with the chosen area and subsequent change to practice. The theoretical underpinning for this module will enable the students will develop their skills of critical appraisal and explore the main theoretical, research paradigms and methodologies used in health and care. Students will be guided on how to write up their independent study and will work in either small groups or individually with an academic supervisor. 

  • This module enables students to develop and advance the skills for independent enquiry, critique, appraisal and the ability to synthesise complex information.

  • Working with an academic supervisor, the student will advance their skills of reflection and critically review how evidence links to practice. These skills allow the student to answer the "how, what and why" questions that nurses ask throughout their careers. These skills also encourage the student to examine practice and develop skills in appreciative enquiry and quality enhancement.

  • The syllabus includes but is not limited to: How to find, search and appraise different types of evidence, how to design an independent study project, how to critically appraise evidence, research and improvement paradigms and methodologies; handling data and complex information, academic writing and supervision.


Module Delivery Method
Face-To-FaceBlendedFully OnlineHybridCHybridOWork-based Learning
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Face-To-Face
Term used to describe the traditional classroom environment where the students and the lecturer meet synchronously in the same room for the whole provision.

Blended
A mode of delivery of a module or a programme that involves online and face-to-face delivery of learning, teaching and assessment activities, student support and feedback. A programme may be considered “blended” if it includes a combination of face-to-face, online and blended modules. If an online programme has any compulsory face-to-face and campus elements it must be described as blended with clearly articulated delivery information to manage student expectations

Fully Online
Instruction that is solely delivered by web-based or internet-based technologies. This term is used to describe the previously used terms distance learning and e learning.

HybridC
Online with mandatory face-to-face learning on Campus

HybridO
Online with optional face-to-face learning on Campus

Work-based Learning
Learning activities where the main location for the learning experience is in the workplace.


Campus(es) for Module Delivery
The module will normally be offered on the following campuses / or by Distance/Online Learning: (Provided viable student numbers permit)
Paisley:Ayr:Dumfries:Lanarkshire:London:Distance/Online Learning:Other:
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Term(s) for Module Delivery
(Provided viable student numbers permit).
Term 1check markTerm 2check markTerm 3

 

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Learning Outcomes: (maximum of 5 statements)

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Identify, conceptualise and define a contemporary health topic that requires further investigation.

L2. Evaluate and synthesise the research literature, theories and principles on a chosen topic from the student's Field of practice (adult or mental health nursing practice).

L3. Critically appraise the research or quality improvement methods proposed to investigate this healthcare topic and critically reflect on the additional factors that can influence the success of a project

L4. Design a project proposal from the synthesis of acquired knowledge from the student's chosen health topic and show its benefits to care delivery and the profession.

L5. Demonstrate evidence of achievement of the required standards of proficiency associated with your professional discipline

Employability Skills and Personal Development Planning (PDP) Skills
SCQF Headings During completion of this module, there will be an opportunity to achieve core skills in:
Knowledge and Understanding (K and U) SCQF Level 9.

Understanding of research and quality improvement methodologies to conceptualise a contemporary topic in nursing.
Understanding of the main theoretical approaches used in research and quality improvement and research paradigms.
A detailed knowledge and understanding of the moral, ethical and professional considerations associated with research and improvement methods.
An overview of factors that can impact on the success of a research or improvement project; e.g. leadership, buy-in, organisational culture and dynamics.
An in-depth knowledge and understanding of the local, national and global political agenda within the students discipline which impacts on contemporary healthcare.
An in-depth understanding of the research process and or improvement process.

Practice: Applied Knowledge and Understanding SCQF Level 9.

Utilising literature search strategies and appraisal skills to critically evaluate the evidence base of the chosen topic, including the implications of the findings for practice.
Synthesising complex information and communicate this in academic terms.
Designing a independent study project which addresses a recognised need for change or improvement.
Applying knowledge from a variety of sources to explore the challenges and complexities linked to the chosen research or improvement project.

Generic Cognitive skills SCQF Level 9.

Analysing and synthesising complex concepts
Critically discussing the application of evidence to practice.
Decision making and problem solving skills

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills SCQF Level 9.

Demonstrating safe and effective professional communication within an inter-professional/multidisciplinary team.
Using ICT and digital information technologies to source, extract, describe and analyse health data in multiple contexts.

Autonomy, Accountability and Working with others SCQF Level 9.

Demonstrating a critical awareness of personal attitudes, values and beliefs whilst respecting those of others.
Practicing responsibly within the professional, legal and ethical frameworks which underpin nursing practice in relation to working with diverse populations and/or groups.
Organising and managing work within defined timelines.
Utilising supervision effectively to progress study.
Working independently to meet learning outcomes.

Pre-requisites: Before undertaking this module the student should have undertaken the following:
Module Code:
Module Title:
Other:
Co-requisitesModule Code:
Module Title:

* Indicates that module descriptor is not published.

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Learning and Teaching
A variety of learning and teaching methods will be used to facilitate achievement of the learning outcomes. Students are encouraged to work independently under the guidance of an academic supervisor/academic team to explore key concepts and examine the literature in relation to their chosen area of interest. Learning is enhanced through the use one to one tutorial sessions, peer evaluation and formative exercises to provide feedback and feed-forward. Structured e-learning activities will enable students to develop their critical understanding.

The learning and teaching strategies on this module contribute to the development of UWS graduate attributes as outlined in I am UWS, specifically skills in critical thinking, self- reflection, collaboration, problem-solving, and communicating effectively.
Learning Activities
During completion of this module, the learning activities undertaken to achieve the module learning outcomes are stated below:
Student Learning Hours
(Normally totalling 200 hours):
(Note: Learning hours include both contact hours and hours spent on other learning activities)
Lecture/Core Content Delivery24
Tutorial/Synchronous Support Activity24
Laboratory/Practical Demonstration/Workshop12
Asynchronous Class Activity60
Independent Study280
Work Based Learning/Placement 200
600 Hours Total

**Indicative Resources: (eg. Core text, journals, internet access)

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

Aveyard, H. (2018) Doing a literature review in health and social care, 4th edition, Open University Press.




BMJ(2019)Resources on How to read a paper online https://www.bmj.com/about-bmj/resources-readers/publications/how-read-paper

Griffiths, P.; Mooney, GP. (2011) The paramedic's guide to research: An Introduction. Milton Keynes, Open University Press.

LoBiondo-Wood, G., Haber, J., and Titler, M. G (2019) Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Quality Improvement, Elsevier

Linsley, P., Kane, R. and Barker, J. H. (2019) Evidence Based Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals, Sage

Willis, S and Dalrymple, R. (2019)Fundamentals of Paramedic Practice: A Systems Approach, 2nd Edition, Wiley-Blackwell

(**N.B. Although reading lists should include current publications, students are advised (particularly for material marked with an asterisk*) to wait until the start of session for confirmation of the most up-to-date material)

Engagement Requirements

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

Where a module has Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body requirements these will be listed here:
Where applicable 100% attendance in Practice Placement areas is required by the end of the programme to meet NMC requirements. In this module students may be assessed if at least 70% of the practice learning experience is met.
100% attendance in Practice Placement areas is required by the end of the programme to meet NMC requirements. In this module students may be assessed if at least 70% of the practice learning experience is met.

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Supplemental Information

Programme BoardMental Health Nursing & IP
Assessment Results (Pass/Fail) No
Subject PanelMHN&IP L9-11
ModeratorBetty Scholes
External ExaminerJ Turner
Accreditation DetailsNMC
Version Number

1.04

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Assessment: (also refer to Assessment Outcomes Grids below)
Students are required to submit a 4,000 word independent study project based on a contemporary topic specific to the student's field of practice. The students are encouraged to explore contemporary areas that align with national health and care priorities.
Satisfactory completion of the practice learning experience as evidenced by attainment of the required professional standards.
(N.B. (i) Assessment Outcomes Grids for the module (one for each component) can be found below which clearly demonstrate how the learning outcomes of the module will be assessed.
(ii) An indicative schedule listing approximate times within the academic calendar when assessment is likely to feature will be provided within the Student Handbook.)

Assessment Outcome Grids (Footnote A.)

Component 1
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Learning Outcome (5) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Essaycheck markcheck markcheck markcheck markcheck mark1000

Component 2
Assessment Type (Footnote B.) Learning Outcome (1) Learning Outcome (2) Learning Outcome (3) Learning Outcome (4) Learning Outcome (5) Weighting (%) of Assessment ElementTimetabled Contact Hours
Performance/ Studio work/ Placement/ WBL/ WRL assessment    check mark00
Combined Total For All Components100% 0 hours

Footnotes
A. Referred to within Assessment Section above
B. Identified in the Learning Outcome Section above

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Note(s):
  1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
  2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
    This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.

Equality and Diversity
The (Equality)Act 2010 makes it clear that it is not discriminatory to apply competence standards (which include our Code, our revalidation and our education standards) to a disabled person. As a professional regulator responsible for protecting the public, it would not be right for us to adjust these standards. However, we can make reasonable adjustments to assist nurses, midwives and nursing associates in meeting our standards. For students who have disclosed a disability, the UWS Disability Service (DS) will assess the individual’s strengths and support needs and then forward a Student Support Form to the appropriate DS Co-ordinator who will circulate the form to all of the relevant teaching staff. ‘Reasonable adjustments’ may include adapted or specialised clinical equipment (e.g. electronic stethoscope, coloured overlays) or further specialist assessment or support (e.g. assessment by an Educational Psychologist, extended time for presentations or assessments). If funding is required, this can be organised by the DS and funded by the School. Reasonable adjustments, in line with DS recommendations for the assessment of the individual student can be assured.
UWS Equality and Diversity Policy
(N.B. Every effort will be made by the University to accommodate any equality and diversity issues brought to the attention of the School)

2014 University of the West of Scotland

University of the West of Scotland is a Registered Scottish Charity.

Charity number SC002520.