Unit Outline

This unit is a self-directed, fully on-line introductory unit, that uses patient cases to develop your research skills to make evidence-based decisions This unit introduces important concepts and develops skills in evidence-based medicine, asking and answering well-articulated clinical questions, and critical review of research literature. You will also develop evidence-based practice skills such as framing an answerable research question and search strategies for a patient's unique circumstances. You will use medical databases, and learn how to identify high-quality evidence. The skills developed in this unit will enhance independent clinical decision-making.

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	Create PICO frameworks to structure pharmacotherapeutic questions.
2	Collate appropriate evidence-based research using MeSH terms.
3	Develop techniques to refine search strategies to return more relevant studies.
4	Critically appraise scientific literature using knowledge of the hierarchy of evidence, sources of bias, and research methodology.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	CSA721

Alterations as a result of student feedback

New Unit in 2025. As always, the teaching team will greatly appreciate your feedback both informally during the delivery of the unit in 2025, and formally through the University of Tasmania’s Unit Survey following your completion of the unit.

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:	PICO Framework	Week 3	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Critical Appraisal	Week 5	20 %	LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Literature review	Week 9	20 %	LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Medication management plan for a clinical case	Week 13	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: PICO Framework

Task Description:

Create PICO frameworks to formulate research questions and identify MeSH terms to answer patient care queries.
Generative AI can be used to assist with curating a list of MeSH terms. Please include prompts following your references.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 3

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Create a PICO framework for each query.	LO1
2	Create a research question, based on the PICO framework.	LO1
3	Utilise the PICO framework, to identify MeSH terms to find relevant research.	LO2
4	Critique the MeSH terms used and provide detail as to adjustments made to the search strategy to return more relevant literature.	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Critical Appraisal

Task Description:

You will complete a critical appraisal of published health literature.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically appraise the methodology, utilising the RAMMbo method of critical appraisal.	LO4
2	Critically appraise the results and discussion	LO4
3	Critically appraise the external validity of this study.	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Literature review

Task Description:

You will complete a short literature review to answer a patient query.

Generative AI can be used to assist with curating a list of MeSH terms. Please include prompts following your references.

Task Length:

750 words

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Curate a list of MeSH terms to find relevant research.	LO2
2	Critique the MeSH terms used and describe and justify adjustments made to the search strategy to return more relevant literature.	LO3
3	Critically analyse the literature to synthesise an evidence-based answer to the patient query, using patient-centred language	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Medication management plan for a clinical case

Task Description:

Utilising a PICO framework you will apply your research skills and evidence-based decision making to answer a patient care query.

Generative AI can be used to assist with curating a list of MeSH terms. Please include prompts following your references.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Create a PICO framework	LO1
2	Utilise the PICO framework to identify MeSH terms to find relevant research.	LO2
3	Critically evaluate published and grey literature.	LO4
4	Synthesise the literature to answer the patient query, using patient-centred language.	LO4

How your final result is determined

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

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Evidence-based practice Work Book – available in Library Reading List for this unit.

Articles for Assignments – available in Library Reading List for this unit.