Research Methods for Evidence-based Practice (HLTH 6107/ HLTH6153)
Summative Assessment
You will be asked to analyse your area of practice to justify a research or EBP question/ topic and produce a critical review paper of relevant literature based on your chosen topic. This critical review paper should include a detailed search strategy to evidence that you are able to carry out a comprehensive literature search and should be 3,500 words +/-10%. It will be weighted 100% of the total marks for the module. A pass mark of 50% must be achieved in this summative assessment to successfully complete this module.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the module you will be expected to:
1. Critically analyse the contribution of research and EBP in health/social care.
2. Identify questions/ topics relating to your area of practice and carry out a comprehensive literature search.
3. Justify the choice of evidence or appropriate research approach (s) for data collection and analysis for your identified research or EBP question/ topic.
4. Critically explore ethical issues for the conduct of research and application of research evidence to health and/ or social care practice.
5. Critically evaluate qualitative and/or quantitative research evidence and synthesise recommendations for your area of health and/ or social care practice.
6. Demonstrate the ability to critique, evaluate and refine your knowledge and skills needed to participate in research and evidence based practice.
Suggested components of the essay
The structure of the 3500 word [+/- 10%] critical review of the literature based on your evidence –based practice question should include:
1) A title page; include your student number as indicated in the student handbook on assignment presentation.
2) Introduction and background: Introduce your essay and the chosen topic. Reflect on your role/practice context/ area of clinical interest (a reflective cycle may help you). Analyse the extent to which your area has currently adopted evidence-based practice, taking into consideration local, national and/or international policy and practice. Include a critical discussion of the concept of evidence – based practice (EBP) and the EBP process.
3) Formulate your question, selecting the most appropriate of the many frameworks available and reflect on its relevance to your sphere of practice. You may wish to choose a topic that will contribute to a professional role requirement (e.g. development of evidence-based guidelines). Develop a clearly articulated EBP question to guide the EBP process..
4) Using a structured search strategy, identify, select and critically summarise a range of key evidence on your topic to address your EBP question. This is likely to include primary research evidence from research activity within the quantitative and/or qualitative paradigms, as well as audit data. Provide a clear audit trail of your search strategy and a rationale for the final selection of key evidence.
5) Select a minimum of 3 key papers for detailed critical analysis and synthesis
6) Critically appraise the selected key papers, using identified critical appraisal frameworks relevant to the type of evidence you have.. Justify your rationale for your choice of critical appraisal framework(s)/tool(s). Analyse the quality of the evidence, taking into account the appropriateness and use of research design and methods.
7) Critically reflect on the ethical issues regarding the conduct of the research and application of the research evidence to health and/ or social care practice.
8) On the basis of your appraisal of key evidence, synthesize the findings and quality of the evidence critiqued, and critically reflect on the implications for decision-making in your role/practice context /area of clinical interest, and develop recommendations.
9) Critically reflect on your learning regarding evidence based practice and how this will inform your future practice/role in health or social care.
10) References – Harvard system of referencing.
11) List of appendices as required,
with each one titled, numbered and referred within the text.
in order to pass the assignment it is essential to:
1. You address each of the learning outcomes;
2. You demonstrate evidence of safe practice/attitudes;
3. You maintain the patient’s/client’s confidentiality
4. You ensure academic integrity so the work is your own with no plagiarism.