LO1. Discuss the different types of evidence and the importance of evidence-based interventions for safe, person-centred care to maintain or restore health and well-being.

Module overview and aims

The Foundations of Evidence for Nursing Practice module is a core module that runs across two semesters in the academic year. The aim of the module is to introduce the key knowledge and skills needed to use diverse forms of evidence underpinning nursing and healthcare interventions in professional practice.

This module will, therefore, help you to build knowledge and skills in information literacy, essential concepts related to research methods, evaluation and implementation of research, and evidence- based information needed to provide safe, person-centred care to maintain or restore health and well-being.

The module adopts a blended learning approach, which combines face-to-face sessions in the classroom, guided self-directed independent study and groupwork, all supported with online learning materials.

These teaching and learning approaches are designed to equip you for Level 5 and Level 6 study in your second and third years. They aim to help you build the essential skills needed for success in your academic study and professional practice

The module team looks forward to collaborating with you to strengthen the knowledge and abilities necessary for achieving the year one learning outcomes.

Summary of content of the module

Summative Assessments

Summative Assessment 1

Summative Assessment 2

ASSESSMENT BRIEF – ASSESSMENT 1 - Annotated Bibliography

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT – Assessment 1

The formative assessment is not marked. It is an assessment that allows you to plan your final assessment by carrying out an exercise that contributes to the final summative assignment. You will receive feedback for the formative work that you will use to make the necessary amendments to your final summative work, as advised by your tutor.

This formative assessment task is part 1 of the two assessments towards developing your theoretical and practical understanding of evidence-based practice.

This assignment exercise meets Learning Outcomes 1 and 2 in the module Formative assessment brief: This assessment is linked to Learning Outcomes 1 and 2

You must choose one of the four themes given and a population group with a health issue of interest and conduct a literature search to find two research studies, one quantitative and one qualitative related to the chosen topic.

For the formative assessment, you must use the template provided to complete a search strategy for your chosen topic.

The template is in your module Workbook and also in the Assessment Tab on the module Blackboard site. You will receive feedback from your tutor during the Formative support session in Week 10 (09.01.25).

SUMMATIVE ASSIGNMENT 1 – Annotated Bibliography

What

Summative Assessment

Provide an annotated Bibliography of two primary research studies: one Qualitative and one Quantitative.

How

To meet your learning outcomes, you will need to choose one from the following themes:

• Communication
• Hydration and Nutrition
• Infection control
• Person-centred Care

Once you have a chosen theme, decide which population group you would like to investigate in relation to the theme.

Use a search strategy to identify two research studies on the chosen topic.

The studies must be from a peer-reviewed publication related to nursing and healthcare practice. The studies must relate to the theme and population group that you focused on in the search.

One study must be a qualitative research study, and another must be a quantitative research study.

The research articles you select MUST be primary research published within the last 5 years or they must be the most recent knowledge on the chosen topic. You will be guided away from research that is very dated.

Publications to avoid

(systematic reviews /mixed method studies/ opinions articles/ literature reviews are not allowed for this assignment)

You may find the following structure helpful for the essay.

Summative Assignment 1 – Annotated Bibliography Essay structure: Guidelines

1.  Introduction (150)

An introduction generally needs to answer these 3 questions.

1. What? The introduction must begin by clearly stating the aims which is what the essay is about.

This section needs to state in your own words what is required in the assignment brief given in your module study guide.

1. How? The second part of the introduction needs to outline how the essay is structured. You need to summarise the details given in point 2 below.
2. Why? An introduction needs to articulate why the topic under consideration (EBP) is of significance. You should use literature to support your rationale.

2.   Background (150) – The discussion in this section must be supported by literature.

1. Define and explain evidence-based practice and its importance in nursing practice
2. Discuss an evidence-based rationale/ justification for your chosen theme and its relevance to nursing practice.

3.   Perform and summarise the search strategy (in narrative/full sentences) where relevant (200 words).

Here you will explain to the reader what actions you took in the search strategy to find the two studies. You must show a working understanding of the different search operators and how they assisted the search.

Search Question – A search question will guide the search strategy.

You must state your search question using the recommended PICO framework.

1. Identify the key concepts.
2. Sources searched with rationale i.e., databases.
3. Boolean operators used.
4. Truncation used for the search.
5. limiters used for the search with rationale
6. Inclusion criteria with rationale.
7. Exclusion criteria with rationale.
8. Terms used for the search.
9. Total articles search and describe how you obtained two primary research articles for an annotated bibliography.

Once you have chosen your two studies, the next stage is to provide a summary of each by extracting relevant information as guided below:

4. Annotated Bibliography research study 1- quantitative paper (200)

Citation details (set out in the same style as a UWL Harvard referencing list. See Cite them Right for referencing guide)

1. A short statement that explains the main focus or purpose of the research paper
2. Briefly discuss the usefulness and/or limitations of the paper (e.g. reliability of the text, limitations of the paper, credibility of the author)
3. An evaluative comment on the paper that considers how the findings will improve nursing practice and benefit patient care.

Annotated Bibliography research study 2 – qualitative paper (200)

Citation details (set out in the same style as a UWL Harvard referencing list. See Cite them Right for referencing guide)

1. A short statement that explains the main focus or purpose of the research paper
2. Briefly discuss the usefulness and/or limitations of the paper (e.g. reliability of the text, limitations of the paper, credibility of the author)
3. An evaluative comment on the paper that may consider how the findings will improve nursing practice and benefit patient care.

5a. Conclusion (100 words)

Summarise the key learning points that have emerged from your discussion above.

5b. Recommendations. Make recommendations on what you think could be done in light of your findings and conclusions. Keep this reasonable and within the scope of your experience and understanding.

6. References list

Any academic work that you produce should have an accurate and appropriate reference list. This is a list of all of the literature sources that you have cited in the essay and is an essential element of academic writing.

When choosing references, you must ensure that you have used the most up-to-date literature. The UWL referencing guide is available from the library. Please be aware that the referencing guide is regularly updated.

Summative assignment brief: (2000 words)

Essay Structure/Guidelines

1. Introduction (200 words).

An introduction generally needs to answer these three questions:

1. What? The introduction must begin by clearly explaining what the essay is about.  This section needs to explain in your own words what is required in the assignment  brief given above.
2. How? The second part of the introduction needs to outline how the essay is  structured. You need to summarise the details given in point 2 below.
3. Why? An introduction needs to articulate why is the chosen article under  consideration of significance?

2. Discussion (1600 words)

1. Discuss evidence-based practice and what is the significance of evidence-based nursing in the current health and social care environment?
2. Briefly outline the topic of the chosen research paper and provide a rationale for why it is  relevant or valuable to practice.
3. Critically Appraise the chosen study using the CASP framework
4. Discuss and justify whether or not the findings are therefore robust enough to be  used to change or support nursing practice.
5. Reflect on how the findings of the paper will contribute to your professional  development and nursing practice

3. Conclusion (200 words)

Summary. Summarise the key learning points that have emerged from your  discussion above.

b. Recommendations. Make recommendations on what needs to be done in light of  your findings and conclusions. How useful do you feel the results of the study would be for  practice?

4. References.

Appropriate referencing is an important element of academic writing. Ensure that you have used  the most up-to-date UWL referencing guide available from the library. Please be aware that the  referencing guide is regularly updated.

For guidance on online submission of assignments, including how to submit and how to access  online feedback, please refer to the UWL Blackboard student-help pages at: http://www.uwl.ac.uk/blackboardhelp

Learning materials

The reading list for this module is available on Blackboard in the module area and online by searching readinglists. This shows the real-time availability of books in the library and provides direct links to digital items recommended by your lecturer.

Remember to log into Blackboard daily to receive all the latest news and support available at your module information sites!

Subject guides are also available to help you find relevant information for assignments, with contact details of the Subject Librarian for your School.             

Maintaining Academic Honesty and Integrity

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