1. Analyse quantitative and qualitative research methods to determine their strengths, limitations, and applicability in supporting evidence-based clinical decisions during paramedic assessment and treatment

Research Skills

2. Apply research skills to critically analyse and interpret the ethical principles underpinning healthcare research, ensuring adherence to professional and regulatory standards.

Research Skills

3. Apply an effective digital search strategy to locate healthcare research, including formulating research questions, selecting keywords, and using Boolean operators to navigate academic databases.

Digital Literacy

Research Skills

Assessment

Critical Appraisal of a Research Paper

Weighting: 100%

Assesses module learning outcomes 1, 2 & 3.

You will critically appraise a selected research paper using an established appraisal grid. This will require evaluation of methodology, strengths and limitations, ethical considerations, and the relevance of findings to paramedic practice. Your appraisal must demonstrate understanding of quantitative or qualitative research designs and their application to healthcare contexts.

Rationale:

This task develops analytical capability, enabling you to interpret research evidence and judge its suitability for informing clinical decision-making.

This module introduces the core principles of research and evidence appraisal that underpin safe, effective paramedic practice. Content includes:

Quantitative and qualitative research approaches, including study designs, sampling, data collection methods and common sources of bias.

Strengths, limitations and appropriate use of different research methods to inform decision-making in paramedic and pre-hospital care.

Ethical principles in healthcare research, including consent, confidentiality, governance frameworks, professional standards and ethical approval processes.

Digital literature searching, including research question formulation, keyword selection, Boolean operators, inclusion/exclusion criteria and database navigation.

Critical appraisal of research papers, using recognised appraisal tools to interpret study quality, trustworthiness and relevance to clinical practice.

Application of evidence-informed practice, including how paramedics use research to guide assessment, intervention and service improvement.

Content aligns with HCPC expectations for evidence-based practice, critical evaluation, digital literacy and ethical conduct in research.

Develop the research awareness and analytical skills essential for evidence-informed paramedic practice.

This module introduces you to the principles of quantitative and qualitative research, ethical standards in healthcare studies, and the skills required to critically appraise evidence. You will learn how to formulate research questions, perform effective digital literature searches and evaluate the strengths and limitations of different study designs. By strengthening your ability to interpret and apply research findings, this module supports safe, accountable and contemporary decision-making in pre-hospital care.

Learning in this module focuses on developing the research literacy and analytical skills required for evidence-informed paramedic practice. Teaching will be delivered through lead lectures, seminars, workshops and guided online activities that introduce key concepts in research design, ethical standards and critical appraisal. Digital learning materials within the VLE will prepare you for taught sessions by introducing search strategies, terminology and methodological foundations.

Interactive workshops will enable you to practise formulating research questions, conducting digital database searches and applying Boolean operators to locate relevant literature. Case-based activities and structured appraisal exercises will support your ability to evaluate research quality and interpret findings in the context of pre-hospital care.

Ethical considerations will be explored through discussion, scenario analysis and examination of professional and governance frameworks, reinforcing your understanding of responsible research conduct. Throughout the module, formative feedback and collaborative learning tasks will help you apply research principles to real-world issues and strengthen your confidence in using evidence to underpin clinical decision-making.

Curtis, K., Fry, M., Shaban, R. & Considine, J. (2020). Emergency and Trauma Care for Nurses and Paramedics (UK Edition). Elsevier.

Contains a strong methods and evidence-based practice chapter relevant to pre-hospital decision-making.

Aveyard, H. (2019; reprinted 2020–2022). Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care (4th ed.). Open University Press.

A widely used UK text on digital database searching, question formulation, Boolean operators and evaluating sources.

Moule, P. & Goodman, M. (2020). Nursing and Healthcare Research at a Glance. Wiley-Blackwell.

Clear, accessible coverage of quantitative/qualitative methods, ethics, sampling, bias and appraisal—ideal for beginners.

Parahoo, K. (2019; current print 2021). Nursing Research: Principles, Process and Issues (4th ed.). Palgrave Macmillan.

UK-focused research methodology text with detailed discussion of ethics, research governance and interpreting evidence.

Glasper, E. & Rees, C. (2021). Ethics, Law and Professional Issues for Nursing and Healthcare (5th ed.). Pearson.

Provides robust grounding in research ethics, consent, confidentiality and governance—directly aligned with MLO2.

VLE - Blackboard (Virtual Learning Environments).

Microsoft Teams

Simulation Centre

Hi Fidelity Simulation Equipment

Classrooms.

Library support.

Academic Mentor support.

Group tutorials.

Lectures.

Seminars.