DA5024 - Evidence and Research underpinning Occupational Therapy Practice

You will learn through a range of blended learning approaches and activities. This will include online lectures that will introduce key research principles and processes. Interactive online sessions and seminars will provide the opportunity to discuss concepts and terminology with your facilitator and peers, based around activities which have been undertaken as part of work based and directed learning both in preparation for and during sessions. You will use online resources to access relevant health and social care material and will actively use this material in class-based sessions to develop your knowledge and understanding of how data generated in the research process is analysed and reported. You will continue to develop your academic skills of information retrieval by reviewing and developing your use of study skills plus material. You will also have the opportunity to link this to your work-based practice with the support and guidance of the module team and your work based mentor. Classroom based sessions will be utilised during consolidation weeks enabling you to synthesise work-based learning, practice placement learning alongside the theoretical and practical university-based sessions.

The identified module tutor, alongside the module teaching team, will structure a blend of face-to-face and on-line learning opportunities to support your learning within the module and to assist you to work towards the module assessment. The module guide, electronic reading list, web- based material and information communicated throughout the module within sessions and on the e-learning portal will all support your academic and skill development. A module workbook will be made available to you at the start of the module to facilitate and structure your directed and independent learning which you will discuss with your work-based mentor and personal tutor.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Understand principles and processes that underpin qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including impact on findings and implications for practice

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Apply critical reading and appraisal skills

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3. Develop appreciation of service user and carer involvement in health research
4. Develop understanding of ethics in health and social care

Formative: Annotated reference list of 2 – 4 potential articles for summative assignment.

You will receive staff/peer class based support and feedback. Working towards all MLOs

Summative: 2500 word essay in which you will select an occupational therapy relevant topic and critically appraise two research articles (from your articles selected in your formative piece of work) (ALL MLOs)

You will receive written feedback summarising strengths and areas for development from your summative assessment.

Level 4 modules

None

This module will enable you to develop your knowledge and skills in relation to the research evidence unrepining the practice of occupational therapy. In this module you will increase your professional skills and knowledge through focusing on critical reading skills so that you can identify and use evidence to support your occupational therapy practice. This module will increase your confidence in your practice as you will develop knowledge and skills in order to choose and use evidence wisely. You will become efficient, proficient and gain confidence in selecting and critically appraising information to support your practice. You will learn from and contribute to your peers’ knowledge and skill development through interaction in class and directed learning activities. This will prepare you well for working efficiently and effectively with your future professional colleagues. You will learn from academic staff, up to date published material, and service user experiences which are available in the public domain.