Module NHS-2300:
Interpreting Evidence

Run by School of Health Sciences

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Mr Gearoid Dulchaointigh

The aim of this module is to allow students to develop skills in using research evidence to inform current and future practice. It develops the student’s understanding of health and care research and skills in critically evaluating extant literature to address problems and advance health and social care practice. This module will be delivered using a blended learning approach via taught sessions and Blackboard, the University’s online distance learning medium. This will involve podcast lectures, resources and activities supported by online discussion sessions.

Students completing this module will develop lifelong skills which will enable them to search access and evaluate appropriate literature and apply their findings to their subject area.The module will focus on research related subjects to enable the student to develop knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and methods, advanced literature searching, critical reading and critiquing skills.

good

B- to B+ Grade: In order to achieve a ‘ very good pass’ for this module, students will be required to achieve an average of B grade to demonstrate the use of knowledge and evidence to support health, care, and well-being in health and social care.

excellent

A- to A+ Grade: In order to achieve a ‘excellent pass’ for this module, students will be required to achieve an average of an A grade the work should demonstrate an excellent logical academic presentation relating to the use of knowledge and evidence to support health, care and well-being in health and social care and achievement of all the expected learning outcomes.

C- to C+

C- to C+ Grade: In order to achieve a ‘ good pass’ for this module, students will be required to achieve an average of C grade to demonstrate the use of knowledge and evidence to support health, care, and well-being in health and social care.

threshold

In order to achieve a ‘pass’ for this module, students will be required to achieve a minimum of D- to demonstrate some knowledge of the use of knowledge and evidence to support health, care, and well-being in health and social care.

1. Develop an understanding of how to search electronic data bases to identify and retrieve relevant literature.

2. Understand and evaluate the different levels of research and evidence and the application to the delivery of health and social care.

3. Identify relevant critiquing tools and demonstrate an understanding of how to interpret and evaluate literature.

4. Demonstrate an ability to apply relevant literature and evidence as appropriate to areas of practise or interest.

5. Understand and evaluate the sources of knowledge relevant to health, care and well-being.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Summative Blog		20
	Summative literature review		80

		Hours
	Blog e-learning activity - ( 30 minutes per week over 8 weeks).	4
Workshop	Assignment workshop - 2 hour workshop session.	2
Private study		128
Lecture	Lectures - 24 hours ( 3 hours per week over 8 weeks)	24
Tutorial	Assignment tutorials - 2 hours ( 2 x 1 hour tutorial to be arranged with supervising tutor)	2
	E-learning activities - 40 hours to complete on line e-learning support materials.	40

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
• Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
• Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others

Resource implications for students

1. Purchase of text books, pens and paper. 2. Photocopying and printing 3. Subscription to internet provider to access BU on-line catalogues and Blackboard from home residence.

Reading list

Students will be given the opportunity to view a range of research texts appropriate to health and social care.

Aveyard H. (2014) Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social care. Open University Press

Booth, A. Sutton A. (2016) Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review. Sage Publications.

Machi L, A. McEvoy, B, T.(2016) The Literature Review, Six steps to success. Sage Publications

Roberts, D; Ousey, K. (2011) Finding and using evidence in academic assignments: The bane of student life. Nurse Education in Practice: 333-40.

Taylor D. & Procter M. (2008) The literature review: a few tips of conducting it. Health Services Writing Centre: University of Toronto. http://www.utoronto.ca/writing/litrev.html

Evidence based Nursing http://ebn.bmj.com/content/19/1/2

Why do a literature review in Health and social care? https://www.mheducation.co.uk/openup/chapters/9780335222612.pdf