COURSE AIMS
This course will provide the student with the opportunity to:
Explore the principles underpinning the nature of knowledge and evidence based practice.
Explore and critique research methodology within healthcare.
COURSE OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
1.Identify and analyse a range of sources of knowledge and research methodologies and their use in healthcare
2.Discuss and debate the concept of ‘evidence based practice.’
3.Demonstrate the skills of inquiry and assessment of the nature of knowledge and Evidence based Practice and its application to professional practice.
4.Distinguish between the key elements within qualitative and quantitative approaches to research methods.
Indicative content
Attitudes
Explore attitudes towards a range of sources of knowledge and a variety of research methodologies. Encourage a multi-disciplinary approach to learning while reviewing available evidence.
Knowledge
The concept/nature of knowledge and its relationship toevidence basedpractice
Forms of evidence (research, tacit, national policy/guidance, professional consensus
Searching for evidence Hierarchy of evidence
Implementing evidence in practice
Exploration of a range of processes which can hinder and facilitate the use of evidence in professional practice
Research paradigms and philosophy
The nature and concept of ‘research-mindedness’- introduction to the research process
Patient/client/service user involvement inevidence basedpractice and research
Comparisons between elements of qualitative and quantitative research methods in relation to:
Population, samples and sampling
Data collection methods
Data analysis methods
Validity, reliability, trustworthiness etc Overview of quantitative methodologies
Experimental & quasi experimental designs, surveys and descriptive designs
Cohort studies, prospective/retrospective designs
Overview of qualitative methodologies
Grounded theory, phenomenology
Case study, action research, exploratory descriptive designs
Skills
Use of IT equipment
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of computer databases Demonstrate ability to appraise literature
Ability to apply evidence to practice Presentation skills
Analysing research-based evidence
Comparing differences and similarities between a variety of approaches to research.
