Contact Hours: (24)
18 hours - Lectures
4 hours - Small group work / student led sessions
2 hours - Group/individual tutorials

Independent Study Hours: (276)
80 hours - Library searches and exploration of database and web based
70 hours - Reading
50 hours - Blackboard
16 hours - Preparation for formative tutorials and seminar
30 hours - Summative assessment preparation
30 hours - Preparation for small group feedback

Must be enrolled on a Foundation Degree Award for Assistant Practitioners

Access to computer and projector
Internet facilities

Chambers, R., & Wakeley (2000) Making Clinical Governance work for you. Oxford: Radcliffe Medical Press
Greenhalgh, T. (2006) How to read a paper; the process of evidence based-medicine (3rd edition) , London: Blackwell Publishing
Hendrick, J. & Wigens, L.(2004) Law and Ethics in Foundations in Nursing and Health Care Cheltenham: Nelson Thornes.
Trinder L & Reynolds S (2000) Evidence Based Practice - a critical appraisal. Blackwell Scientific

An assignment weighted at 100% of 3000 words. (addresses all LO's)

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
An appraisal of a published piece of research related to the student's own area of practice which demonstrates the ability to present and justify a reasoned argument and discuss professional and ethical considerations in evidence based health care and how the use of evidence based material enhances health care

Students will be directed towards a specific piece of published research relevant to their area of practice

Formative feedback will be incorporated into the seminar and tutorial sessions via group discussions and workshops

The aim of this module is to equip the learner with an understanding of research approaches and research methodology required in order to explore the concept of evidence based practice and audit. This module is intended to help practitioners extend their knowledge of research approaches and to develop the capacity to search and critically appraise health-related research literature representative of a range of study designs and methods. It will increase awareness of the relevance of research information to the evaluation and development of practice.

The module will focus on:

- Searching for information
- The research process
- Research approaches: quantitative and qualitative
- Research designs and methods of collection
- Issues of reliability, validity and rigour in research
- Introduction to statistics
- Analysis and presentation of findings
- Reading research reports and critical evaluation of findings
- Application of research to health care
- Ethical considerations in health care research
- Evidence and values based care in nursing and health care - the concepts revisited
- An introduction to clinical governance and audit, the role audit plays in maintaining standards