Unit Outline

This unit provides you with the foundational knowledge required to appreciate the role of research in clinical practice. The unit aims to deepen appreciation of the importance of research utilisation and evidence-based practice in the provision of quality patient and family care. You will gain skills in searching for and evaluating high level evidence to answer questions from clinical practice and in the critical appraisal of common types of quantitative and qualitative research. You will also explore the role that nurses and midwives play in supporting the development of cultures of inquiry within their healthcare agencies.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Critically appraise quantitative and qualitative research.
2	Demonstrate skills that contribute towards creating cultures of inquiry in your area of clinical practice.
3	Search and locate high level research resources to answer clinical questions and areas of interest.
4	Appropriately apply the use of high level research resources in clinical practice (knowledge translation).

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Regular monitoring and review have been undertaken.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Quiz	Week 6	15 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Case Study	Week 8	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Evaluation of Practice	Week 13	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Quiz

Task Description:

This assessment task includes 15 multiple choice questions to evaluate your knowledge of key areas to consider when critically appraising research.

Task Length:

15 Multiple Choice Questions - 45 minutes and 15 minutes reading

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Appraise qualitative and quantitative research articles.	LO1, LO2

Assessment Task 2: Case Study

Task Description:

The purpose of this assessment task is for you to demonstrate your ability to appraise research designs.

Task Length:

1500 words

Due Date:

Week 8

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identifies the most appropriate study design to address the chosen case study	LO1
2	Justifies the choice of research study design.	LO1, LO2, LO4
3	Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO2, LO3

Assessment Task 3: Evaluation of Practice

Task Description:

For this assessment you will conduct a search to answer a research question related to an area of practice.

Task Length:

1600 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identifies and briefly describes a specific aspect of practice.	LO2
2	Develops a specific research question & conducts a search for high level evidence.	LO3
3	Critically analyses available evidence with application to practice setting.	LO1, LO4
4	Discusses barriers preventing and strategies supporting the use of evidence in the identified practice setting.	LO2, LO4
5	Communicates clearly and succinctly using the current APA Style.	LO2, LO3

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes and achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.