Bowling A (2002) 2nd Ed Research methods in health - Investigating health and health services. OUP. Buckingham
Johnson B & Webber P (2005) An introduction to theory and reasoning in nursing. 2nd Ed
Thompson A (2002) 2nd Ed Critical reasoning - a practical introduction. Routledge. London
Trinder L & Reynolds S (2000) Evidence Based Practice - a critical appraisal. Blackwell Scientific

Contact hours: (48)
20 hours Lead Lectures
20 hours Group work / discussion
6 hours Case study / moral dilemma discussions
2 hours Group tutorials

Independent study: (252)
20 hours Blackboard supported work
12 hours Values exchange
50 hours Preparation for group/ class work discussion
70 hours Literature searching and reading
100 hours Preparation for assignment

This module aims to develop your understanding of the evidence and values basis of nursing, the role nursing research and its relationship to evidence and the influence of evidence and values on decisions made collaboratively by health care professionals and service users within the therapeutic relationship. The indicative content of the module includes:

Evidence and values based care in nursing and health care - the concepts revisited
The development of evidence within a risk aware society and its role in the reduction of risk and clinical decision making.
The nature of ideology. Organisational cultures.
The nature of values - are they innate or learned - what happens when values conflict?
Ethical issues in evidence based practice
Evidence and values based practice - the role of reflection and the development of praxis
Defining research and its relationship to evidence based practice?
Main methods of nursing inquiry and differing research methodologies
Getting at the evidence - appraisal for practice
Social research and health - investigating health services, health and illness
Health policy - what it means, how evidence is incorporated into the policy process from development to implementation.
Concepts of empowerment, partnership and collaboration
Communication for collaborative decision making including negotiation and advocacy

Assignment weighted at 100%. 3.000 words. Assessing all LO's
An appraisal of a published piece of research related to the student's own area of practice.
Students will be expected to seek guidance from existing appraisal tools and bring into the discussion wider issues with regard to the relevance of the research to nursing evidence, how evidence based practice may be influenced by professional or service user values and the impact upon collaborative decision making in practice

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
Students will be directed towards a specific piece of published research relevant to their own branch and area of practice
Formative feedback will be incorporated into the seminar and tutorial sessions via group discussions and workshops

Library and IT resources
Personal computer with e mail access and access to printer
TV / DVD player
Internet access
Lecture rooms with computer, e mail access, internet access, power point projector, flip charts and sound projection
Blackboard

Enrolment on the RN/ BSc or Dip Nursing Practice
Successful completion of NMC outcomes for entry to branch programmes
Access to practice placements