Describe major research approaches and their relevance to nursing and healthcare practice, while understanding the importance of ethics and its impact on research design

Hello March 24 cohort.

Welcome to NS5103, this module is one of the last modules in your second year. It will explore the important topic of evidence-based practice in providing high quality care in care settings. It will introduce the fundamentals underpinning research processes and explore possibilities of how good research evidence contributes to the provision of care. You are advised to keep up to date with the module teaching and your learning by using the associated Moodle site. This will contain information on the lectures and other classroom activities as well as suggestions for further reading. You are expected to attend all the lead lectures and group tutorials or seminars. You are also expected to complete some pre-reading for identified sessions and the timetable includes assignment preparation sessions, tutorials discussing the requirements of the assignments and opportunities for one-to-one tutorials. You should avail yourself of these opportunities. This guide contains information about the module, a detailed timetable, and guidelines for the assessment. General guidelines for completing the module and reference to relevant university policies and procedures are also included.

• Attendance and engagement are your key to success. Come to class prepared.
• Read, read and read! Reading academic texts becomes easier the more you practice, and this is essential to your success at UEL and beyond.

MODULE AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This module will support the adult nursing student to be able to demonstrate knowledge of the importance of research and innovation, and the application of evidence-based skills to support services. It will enable the adult nursing student to contribute to quality improvement initiatives that support safe and effective patient care.

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

Knowledge

1. Describe major research approaches and their relevance to nursing and healthcare practice, while understanding the importance of ethics and its impact on research design. (DP, IC, COI)
2. Analyse a range of research methodologies and the importance of Evidence Based research underpinning health and social care practice. (DP, IC, CC, COI)
3. Conduct a Literature search on a specific clinical practice topic, analysing and presenting best evidence for its integration into clinical nursing practice. (DP, IC, COI)
4. Demonstrate the accurate processing of information through the application of diverse methodologies, including digital technologies, and facilitate appropriate sharing within interdisciplinary teams. (DP, IC, SEI, CI, COI) Critically appraise strategies for integrating “best evidence” into clinical nursing practice. (DP, IC, COI)

Thinking Skills

Subject-Based Practical Skills

Skills for Life and Work (General Skills)

Summary of module

This module enables you to consider how research is generated from practice and the application to healthcare provision. You will explore the steps in conducting research and audits. The main research methods in health and social care will be explained and the associated ethical aspects will be examined. Methods of analysing and presenting different types of research data will be introduced and critical appraisal tools will be reviewed. This module equips you with the core skills and understanding to appraise research and its application in supporting the improvements and quality of effective patient care.

Main topics of study:

1. The research process.
2. Searching for evidence.
3. Appraising and interpreting evidence to justify decisions applied to practice.
4. Tools used in healthcare for the development of best practice.
5. Using clinical data to improve clinical practice.
6. Implementing evidence-based practice into practice.
7. Research, innovation, and audit
8. Research informed practice.
9. Quality Improvements

10. Service user involvement

11. Quality assurance frameworks

12. Governance and ethical frameworks.

13. Support the spread of innovative technologies.

14. Role of statutory and advisory regulatory bodies. i.e. (NICE)

This module will be able to demonstrate at least one of the following examples/ exposures (Please tick one or more of the appropriate boxes, evidence will need to be provided later in this document)

Live, applied project X Company/engagement visits ☐

Company/industry sector endorsement/badging/sponsorship/award

KEY INFORMATION

TEACHING DELIVERY AND STRATEGY

The module takes a blended learning approach to enable the development of knowledge and its application to nursing practice. All the taught sessions, face-to-face, will be interactive and involves a variety of learning activities with which students will be expected to engage.

Formative assessment activities, which are clearly linked to the summative assessment, will be undertaken during the module. This will include feedback and feed forward comments and suggestions in order to maximise learning and the chance of successful completion.

Independent study including reading, contribution into discussion forums, on-line learning and assignment preparation activities outside of the classroom time will be monitored and is an essential requirement for successful module completion and progression.

Moodle

Moodle will be the main repository of teaching materials. Moodle is a platform that contains blocks/tiles. Each tile corresponds to a major heading and contains information relevant to that heading. This will also be your default portal for submitting your assignments using Turnitin.

Many of the teaching materials (i.e. lecture notes and selected readings and activities) will be available BEFORE the teaching sessions via the MOODLE Intranet system. It is your responsibility to download and print the lecture and seminar materials for the sessions. Unless indicated, handouts materials will not be circulated during the session. Occasionally lecture notes may be available only after the teaching session on the same or the next day. MOODLE will also provide access to an electronic version of this guide; description of interactive activities and tasks undertaken during seminar sessions; useful publications and websites.

Each week of your teaching will correspond to a tile on your Moodle page.

Ensure that you check your Moodle for this module at least weekly to ensure that you engage on the activities that are being asked of you.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Assessment:

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

The formative assessment will be in the form of group work on selected days. Your presentations will only last for fifteen minutes and will be a critical appraisal of selected articles via PowerPoint.

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

There is one summative assessment for this module. The assessment must be passed with a threshold of 40%

Assessment Type: Written Report

Critical Review assignment: (2,000 words)

Required Format and file type: Electronic Microsoft Word Document

Weighting: 100%

Due date / time: 1st attempt 15/01/26 and 2nd attempt TBC.

1st attempt Summative submission date will be the 15/01/26 before 16:00 pm Assessment Requirements:

You must submit an assignment of 2000 words (+/- 10%) Your assignment should analyse and evaluate a journal article relating to an aspect of clinical practice and how it has impacted the quality-of-care provision. In your assignment, you must discuss which approaches and strategies have been used in the research and do they correspond with the methodology and data collection.

General Guidelines for Writing an assignment:

Your assignment should include:

• An introduction - A description of what you are focusing in your assignment.
• Analysis and evaluation of an aspect of clinical practice or service*
• An appreciation of relevant and current national/international guidelines
• Showcase an understanding of the research methodologies used.
• A comprehensive reference list adhering to UEL’s Referencing guidelines *Please be mindful that if relevant confidentiality and anonymity is maintained. Any breach of such nature will result in a 5% penalty. Where appropriate, you may wish to use a disclaimer which stipulates that confidentiality and anonymity has been maintained. Alternatively, you may highlight in your report that, any or all identifiers have been replaced by pseudonyms.

Learning outcomes assessed:

Through this assignment, students will be assessed on:

Knowledge

1. Describe major research approaches and their relevance to nursing and healthcare practice, while understanding the importance of ethics and its impact on research design. (DP, IC, COI)
2. Analyse a range of research methodologies and the importance of Evidence Based research underpinning health and social care practice. (DP, IC, CC, COI)
3. Conduct a Literature search on a specific clinical practice topic, analysing and presenting best evidence for its integration into clinical nursing practice. (DP, IC, COI)
4. Demonstrate the accurate processing of information through the application of diverse methodologies, including digital technologies, and facilitate appropriate sharing within interdisciplinary teams. (DP, IC, SEI, CI, COI)

Thinking Skills

Subject-Based Practical Skills

Skills for Life and Work (General Skills)

Assessment criteria:

When drafting and revising your work, ensure that your discussions flow logically and are clearly structured. Proofread carefully to correct any spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors, and avoid colloquial language. Remember, this is an academic piece of work.

Use Arial, font size 12, with 1.5 line spacing in Microsoft Word. The required word count is 2,000 words, with a 10% allowance. The reference list, footer, footnotes, report title, headings, and subheadings are excluded from the word count. Avoid excessive subheadings and refrain from using quotations.

A high standard of presentation is expected, including accurate referencing, grammar, and spelling. Ensure your work is proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting before submission, and follow all provided guidelines and marking criteria.

A high standard of presentation is expected throughout this assessment including accurate referencing, grammar and spelling. Therefore, ensure your work is proofread for grammar, spelling, and formatting before submission, and follow all provided guidelines and marking criteria.

Overall structure, organisation, and presentation of the assignment:

Relevance and Evidence of Understanding: include relevant content and show level of understanding and required depth.

Development of Argument/Analysis and Evaluation:

Show depth of knowledge, present clearly articulated ideas with critical analysis and evaluation.

Evidence of Wider Reading for Supporting Arguments:

Show evidence of reading from a range of relevant sources and their application in supporting ideas presented.

Critically analyse and evaluate an aspect of clinical practice:

Show significant consideration and scrutiny of practice with an objective perspective and use of tools.

Appraise a range of evidence-based interventions:

Show balanced assessment of the research evidence to support interventions applied to practice.

Presentation:

Organised, logical and comprehensive, following guidelines.

Referencing style; Communication (including grammar, spelling, sentence and paragraph construction:

Use of the Harvard style as required and ensuring no errors and enhanced readability.

How to submit your work:

All submissions for this component(s) of this Module must be submitted via Turnitin on the module Moodle site. If you fail to submit this component as directed, a mark of 0 will be awarded for the component.

You should check your assignment via Turnitin prior to handing in; be sure that you leave ample time to make any necessary changes and note that Turnitin can take up to 24 hours to provide an ‘Originality Report’.

ASSESSMENT SUBMISSION: FURTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

‘Submit your assignment by or before due date’.

We strongly suggest that you try to submit all coursework by the deadline set as meeting deadlines is expected in employment.

The impact of the fixed penalty on your result will depend what level of study you are in and when you began your course at UEL. For full details see Part 3, Manual of General Regulations at  https://www.uel.ac.uk/about/about-uel/governance/policies-regulationscorporate-documents/student-policies/manual-of-general-regulations.

Please note that if you submit twice, once before the deadline and once during the 24-hour late period, then the second submission will be marked and the fixed penalty of 5% applied. This rule only applies to coursework. It does not apply to examinations, presentations, performances, practical assessments or viva voce examinations. If you miss these for a genuine reason, then you will need to apply for extenuating circumstances, or accept that you will receive a zero mark.

Further information is available in the Assessment & Feedback Policy at https://www.uel.ac.uk/Discover/Governance/Policies-Regulations- Corporate documents/Student- Policies (click on other policies).

REFERENCING

As a student, you will be taught how to write correctly referenced essays using UEL`s standard Harvard referencing system from Cite Them Right. Cite Them Right is the standard Harvard referencing style at UEL for all Schools apart from the School of Psychology which uses the APA system. The electronic version of Cite Them Right: The Essential Referencing Guide (11th edition), can be accessed whilst on or off campus via UEL the link below and will teach you all you need to know about Harvard referencing, plagiarism and collusion. The book can only be read online and no part of it can be printed or downloaded. Further information is available at: Cite Them Right- http://www.citethemrightonline.com

If you are accessing off campus:

• Click Login
• Select University of East London from the list of institutions
• Click Log In at University of East London.
• Enter your UEL email address and password. Harvard referencing:

https://uelac.sharepoint.com/LibraryandLearningServices/Pages/Harvard-Referencing- .aspx AcademicIntegrity:

https://uelac.sharepoint.com/LibraryandLearningServices/Pages/Academic-integrity.aspx

PLAGIARISM DETECTION SOFTWARE: TURNITIN

Your work is important and individual to your effort. We use a plagiarism detection software in combination with our experienced academic staff to detect any plagiarism and/or gross academic misconduct in your submissions. This ensures fairness in academic rigour and maintains good academic practice during your submission.

• Submitting Assessments Using Turnitin:

Turnitin is required for coursework assessments, such as report/research papers or projects in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and in PDF format. There are two main reasons we want you to use Turnitin:

1. Turnitin can help you avoid academic breaches and plagiarism. When you use Turnitin before a submission deadline, you can use the Originality Report feature to compare your work to thousands of other sources (like websites, Wikipedia, and even other student papers). Anything in your work that identically matches another source is highlighted for you to see. When you use this feature before the deadline, you will have time to revise your work to avoid an instance of academic breach/plagiarism.
2. Turnitin saves paper. When using Turnitin to electronically submit your work, you will almost never have to submit a paper copy.

• Late Submissions Using Turnitin UEL has permitted students to be able to submit their coursework up to 24 hours after the deadline. Assessments that are submitted up to 24 hours late are still marked, but with a deduction in marks (see above). However, you have to be very careful when you are submitting your assessment. As aforementioned, if you submit your work twice, once using the original deadline link and then again using the late submission link on Turnitin, your assignment will be graded as late.
• If you experience any Turnitin System Failure Best advice:

Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your assessments electronically. If you experience a problem submitting your work with Turnitin, you should notify your lecturer/tutor/module leader by email immediately without delay. However, deadlines are not extended unless there is a significant systems problem with Turnitin. UEL has specific plans in place to address these issues. If UEL finds that the issue with the system was significant, you will receive an email notifying you of the issue and that you have been given a 24-hour extension. If you don’t receive any email that specifically states you have been given an extension, then the original deadline has not been changed.

Return of your work:

Return of Work and Feedback

For this assessment, you can expect to receive feedback in the following ways:

• Generic feedback will be posted on the Moodle site/ Turnitin within 4 weeks of submission.
• Individual feedback will be available from the Module Leader by appointment.

Please note: All marks are provisional (i.e. unratified) until ratified by the progression board at the end of the year. Academics who mark work spend a great deal of time providing feedback- even on good quality submissions-as we always want to help you strive for a first-class piece of work. Please, therefore, read the feedback carefully and reflect on how you will use it in future assignments, even if you have reached the pass mark. If you are not successful at the first attempt, you will have an opportunity to re-submit the assignment.

Dates for in-year re-assessment or retrieval have been set. If you do not successfully submit at this time, then the progression board will consider your ‘refer’ mark at the end of the year. You may be given an opportunity to re-submit at this stage, but you should be aware that undertaking the re-submission at this late stage might mean you have to delay progression into the following year or completion of your course, as progression is dependent on all components of each year being passed successfully. Further information is available in the Assessment & Feedback Policy at https://www.uel.ac.uk/Discover/Governance/Policies-Regulations-Corporatedocuments /Student-Policies (click on other policies

How to submit your work: Electronic via Turnitin

All submissions for this component(s) of this Module must be submitted according to these instructions. If you fail to submit this component as directed, in accordance with the guidance provided on the Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle), a mark of 0 will be awarded for the component.

REASSESSMENT ARRANGEMENTS

If you get less than 40% as an overall mark, you CANNOT be able to complete the module at the time specified. In such a case, an in-year retrieval will be set with a deadline date TBC. This will allow sufficient time from the first assignment for provisional marks to be released.

You may be in a position where you cannot submit your coursework or take an exam due to circumstances that are:

• unforeseeable - in that you could have no prior knowledge of the event concerned, and
• unpreventable - in that you could do nothing reasonably in your power to prevent such an event, and
• expected to have a serious impact on performance.

More information on support available to you can be found via the Mitigating Circumstances webpages (UEL login required) and the Students’ Union

RETURN OF WORK AND FEEDBACK

Formal results are ONLY available in UEL Direct and will be published within 8 working days of the Board, where results are formally confirmed. Any other results are provisional / indicative but not approved.

You will receive feedback throughout your course through the following:

Feedback and students’ marks should be provided within 15 working days of the due date for summative work (i.e. work that counts towards the final course grade) and formative work (i.e. work that is developmental and designed to help you improve).

Whilst feedback will be given on draft/formative work, it shouldn’t be assumed that every aspect will be identified.

ONLINE SYSTEM FAILURES

If you experience a problem submitting your work online, you should notify your lecturer/tutor by email immediately.

Deadlines are not extended unless there are significant systems problems. If UEL finds that the issue with the system was significant, you will receive an email notifying you of the issue and that you have been given a 24-hour extension. If you don’t receive any email that specifically states you have been given an extension, then the original deadline has not been changed.

Best advice: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your assessments electronically.

• A guide to submitting your work through Turnitin
• A guide to viewing and understanding the similarity report in Turnitin
• Guide to Automatic Extensions
• Assessment & Feedback Policy

TEACHING SCHEDULE

The NS5103-Evidence Based Research module has two cohorts and for this reason the timetables for the different Cohorts are also present on the Moodle site.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

You are expected to attend all scheduled sessions, including lectures, seminars, group work and tutorials – whether online or face to face.

You are expected to be punctual, to be respectful of others’ time as well as your own, to participate whilst present, to put in time to study between classes, to prepare for taught sessions and to be active participants in both group work and your own learning experience.

ENGAGEMENT AND ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS

As a UEL student you are expected to engage with all scheduled sessions, including lectures, seminars, group work and tutorials. During extended projects and dissertations, you must engage with dissertation work and follow attendance guidelines for dissertation supervision set out in dissertation module specifications.

You are also expected to be punctual, to be respectful of others’ time as well as your own, to participate whilst present, to put in time to study between classes, to prepare for taught sessions and to be active participants in both groupwork and your own learning experience. Our Engagement and Attendance policy sets out your engagement and attendance requirements and why it so important to your success as a student.

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REFERENCING

As a student you will be taught how to write correctly referenced essays. UEL`s standard Harvard referencing system is from Cite Them Right. Cite them Right is the standard Harvard referencing style at UEL for all Schools, however professional body requirements will take precedence for instance the School of Psychology which uses the APA system.

• Link to Library support for referencing.
• Video guide to Getting Started on Zotero.
• Zotero Student Written Guide
• Link to the Student Handbook page on Academic Misconduct and Plagiarism.
• Link to MyFeedback – submitting your draft for advice on writing and referencing.
• Link to Academic Tutoring drop-in sessions.

ASSESSMENT FEEDBACK

Feedback is crucial for your learning and it is an important part of the academic cycle. It tells you what the strengths are of your work, what its weaknesses are and how it can be improved.

WHY IS FEEDBACK IMPORTANT?

Feedback is the most effective way to:

• Help you understand how to succeed in your assessments.
• Help you produce better work for the future.
• Signpost you to other resources for assistance.

If you pay attention to feedback, particularly where the same comment is made in several modules, you can use the information to improve.

WHERE DO I GET FEEDBACK?

• When a tutor comments on your answers in seminars/lectures/workshops
• General comment on assessment performance in lectures and seminars
• General comment on questions prepared for seminars.
• When another student makes comments on your presentation
• When you produce practice questions for a tutor who gives comments
• When you receive written comments on your work submitted either as coursework or exam
• When you look at general feedback on module performance on UEL Direct.
• When you see your Academic Adviser with all your assessment feedback for general advice. You should always do this after each assessment period.
• Link to information for advice on academic writing and statistics (Academic Tutoring / Student Engagement Retention and Success)

READING AND RESOURCES

Recommended

Aveyard H (2014) Doing a literature review in health and social care. Open University publication.

Barker J. Linsley P. Kane R. (2016) Evidence-based Practice for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals. London.

Sage Bowling A (2014) Nursing Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Social Services. Open University Publications.

Core

Ellis P. (2016) 3rd Edition Understanding Research for Nursing Students (Transforming Nursing Practice Series) Learning Matters (SAGE Publications Ltd.) London.

Jolley, J. (2020) Introducing Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals (3rd ed), Routledge, Abingdon.

Laws S (2013) Research for Development: A practical guide. Sage Publications. Parahoo K (2014) Nursing Research: Principles, Processes and Issues. Macmillan. Polit D (2016) Nurse Research and Principles. Philadelphia, Lippincott.

OTHER RESOURCES AND FORMS: Useful websites:

You will also find national statistics for England and Wales in Office for National Statistics (ONS) Link: https://www.ons.gov.uk

• Public Health England (PHE) general website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
• Link for statistics and health data: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/health-profiles https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-healthengland/about/statistics
• World Health Organisation (WHO) general website link: https://www.who.int/
• International statistics and data WHO Link: https://www.who.int/gho/publications/world_health_statistics/en/ • King’s Fund: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/
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About NS5103: Evidence Based Research Assignment