HA7000 - Research and Evidence for Contemporary Practice

This module forms part of the Specialist Community Public Health Nursing (Apprenticeship route) (SCPHN) and Specialist Practice District Nursing (Apprenticeship route). This Semester One module will build on your existing knowledge of evidence-based practice and its application to specialist community public health nursing and district nursing. You will develop the skills to critically appraise contemporary sources of evidence, including research; theoretical concepts; practice knowledge; public health data; policies; guidelines and patient perspectives. Regarding research, you will develop key skills associated with literature review and appraisal, as well as a critical understanding of research paradigms and related methodology. You will be able demonstrate your research knowledge, understanding and skills through the design of a research proposal, focussing on an identified topic relating to public health practice. Importantly, you will explore concepts of best evidence and clinical expertise within the context of patient/client centred care, specifically patient preferences and values in relation to shared clinical decision-making. You will also develop and be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills and experiences associated with specialist practice through clinical placement, underpinned by the clinical and managerial expertise of your practice assessor/supervisor and supported by your academic assessor. Through the collection and assessment of a variety of robust evidence sources, you will be able to demonstrate competency and successful completion of NMC and Apprenticeship standards related to your specific area of specialist practice.

This module reflects a transformational pedagogical approach, where, as an adult learner, you will engage in self-directed learning, critical evaluation, reflection, knowledge and skills acquisition, as well as interprofessional working, which is a key concept underpinning and shaping teaching and learning on the module. You will experience a blended learning approach, which is a combination of electronic based resources and face to face learning. This will be through a flipped classroom approach, which promotes the front loading of theoretical content as preparatory independent study provided via a combination of e-lectures and interactive e-learning packages, prior to face-to-face learning facilitated by the module team. The face-to-face sessions will build on the theoretical underpinnings of the electronic resources and focus on application to practice, enabling more personalised engagement with the learning. Face to face sessions will include seminars, as well as action learning sets, where you will work with peers and academics from the module team to engage in student led learning activity. Formative assessment will be an on-going key feature of the module, via tutorials, seminars, action learning sets. All assessments within the programme will be operated in accordance with standard operating procedures and marked and moderated in accordance with the Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA). It is important that you are familiar with all Academic Regulations; and you should be aware, which regulations relate to your programme. Further guidance can be obtained through following this hyperlink; https: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment

This module reflects a transformational pedagogical approach, where, as an adult learner, you will engage in self-directed learning, critical evaluation, reflection, knowledge and skills acquisition, as well as interprofessional working, which is a key concept underpinning and shaping teaching and learning on the module. You will experience a blended learning approach, which is a combination of electronic based resources and face to face learning. This will be through a flipped classroom approach, which promotes the front loading of theoretical content as preparatory independent study provided via a combination of e-lectures and interactive e-learning packages, prior to face-to-face learning facilitated by the module team. The face-to-face sessions will build on the theoretical underpinnings of the electronic resources and focus on application to practice, enabling more personalised engagement with the learning. Face to face sessions will include seminars, as well as action learning sets, where you will work with peers and academics from the module team to engage in student led learning activity. Formative assessment will be an on-going key feature of the module, via tutorials, seminars, action learning sets. All assessments within the programme will be operated in accordance with standard operating procedures and marked and moderated in accordance with the Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA). It is important that you are familiar with all Academic Regulations; and you should be aware, which regulations relate to your programme. Further guidance can be obtained through following this hyperlink; https: www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment

You will be supported by the module team who will guide your academic learning and assessment throughout the module. The module team will be involved in developing the e-learning materials, assessment exercises, and will provide some of your face to face teaching, and feedback, supported by other members of staff. You will be offered tutorial support during the module via action learning sets, where alongside peers and an academic you will engage in student led learning. The action learning system will provide you with a forum to develop and critically review your learning and formative assessment. A large group tutorial will provide you with guidance focused specifically on the summative module assessment – the research proposal. You will also have an allocated academic supervisor/assessor and personal tutor who will provide advice and support in relation to academic, procedural, and (where desired and appropriate) personal matters during the programme of study you have enrolled on. You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and specific support from the programme team with any specific IT issues related to the e-learning package. You will also have access to the full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University which includes library and learning support outlined fully in the programme handbook.

You will be supported by the module team who will guide your academic learning and assessment throughout the module. The module team will be involved in developing the e-learning materials, assessment exercises, and will provide some of your face to face teaching, and feedback, supported by other members of staff. You will be offered tutorial support during the module via action learning sets, where alongside peers and an academic you will engage in student led learning. The action learning system will provide you with a forum to develop and critically review your learning and formative assessment. A large group tutorial will provide you with guidance focused specifically on the summative module assessment – the research proposal. You will also have an allocated academic supervisor/assessor and personal tutor who will provide advice and support in relation to academic, procedural, and (where desired and appropriate) personal matters during the programme of study you have enrolled on. You will have access to 24/7 generic IT support and specific support from the programme team with any specific IT issues related to the e-learning package. You will also have access to the full range of student administration and support services offered by Northumbria University which includes library and learning support outlined fully in the programme handbook.

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)

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. Demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of the concept of evidence-based practice
2. Critically appraise and synthesise different sources of evidence including sensitive or ambiguous data within the context of specialised practice
3. Identify and apply relevant legal, ethical and professional governance issues in relation to research design

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

4. Apply knowledge and understanding of evidence within a specialised practice context and critically evaluate its impact on your area of specialist practice.
5. Critically reflect upon the process of research and demonstrate a range of research skills and techniques which will contribute to your lifelong learning.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

6. Debate the legal, ethical and professional challenges of implementing and evaluating evidence-based practice to inform specialist practice whilst working with and demonstrating excellent communication skills with colleagues, stakeholders and service users.
7. Recognise and assimilate patient values and preferences within evidence based clinical decision-making, demonstrating your ability to justify and defend your decision making.

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. Demonstrate comprehensive and critical understanding of the concept of evidence-based practice
2. Critically appraise and synthesise different sources of evidence including sensitive or ambiguous data within the context of specialised practice
3. Identify and apply relevant legal, ethical and professional governance issues in relation to research design

Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:

4. Apply knowledge and understanding of evidence within a specialised practice context and critically evaluate its impact on your area of specialist practice.
5. Critically reflect upon the process of research and demonstrate a range of research skills and techniques which will contribute to your lifelong learning.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

6. Debate the legal, ethical and professional challenges of implementing and evaluating evidence-based practice to inform specialist practice whilst working with and demonstrating excellent communication skills with colleagues, stakeholders and service users.
7. Recognise and assimilate patient values and preferences within evidence based clinical decision-making, demonstrating your ability to justify and defend your decision making.

Formative assessment
You will develop a search strategy and plan relating to your research proposal. You will present this to your peer group in action learning sessions and demonstrate the ability to justify and defend your decision making. This will provide opportunity for peer and academic feedback that can contribute to you moving forward in your summative assessment.
MLO 4; MLO 5; MLO 6; MLO 7

Formative tests and quizzes will be embedded within the e-learning materials providing immediate electronic feedback
MLO: 1; MLO 2; MLO 3; MLO 7


001. Summative assessment – Written Research Proposal 4000 words
You will be required to develop a research proposal for future research, exploring a specific area of Specialist Practice, which is negotiated with the module lead/team. This research proposal will address all MLOs.

You will present the empirical research proposal in an appropriate academic style supported from the current literature base and accurately referenced. Different types of empirical project may require a different structure/organisation, but general guidance on the structure of the research proposal will be provided on the module electronic learning portal (ELP) – Blackboard Ultra and discussed during the seminars and tutorials. Individualised feedback will be given to identify good practice and suggest areas for development. The assessment will be submitted via Turnitin and electronic feedback will be given via BlackBoard Ultra.

MLO 1; MLO 2; MLO 3; MLO 4; MLO 5; MLO 6; MLO 7

002. Practice Assessment Document (PAD): - You are required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council and Institute of Apprenticeships to produce evidence demonstrating that you have achieved the standards/competencies for Specialist Practice. This will be assessed via the production and review of sources of evidence collected on your practice placement through your practice assessment document (PAD). This is a Pass/fail component of the programme.

At each tripartite progress review meeting (every 3 months) you have opportunity to present your evidence to your practice and academic assessors and receive feedback on your progress in practice, as well as discuss your aims and objectives for the next stage of your practice learning.

You will have a formative review of your progress in week 26 where at tripartite progress review meetings a discussion with you, your practice assessor and practice supervisor will assess you against the standards required for practice and devise plans to support your progression.

This formative assessment prepares you for the final summative assessment of practice prior to you entering your period of consolidated practice.


Guidance will be given about the nature of evidence and structure of the PAD during seminars and tutorials and on the module ELP – Blackboard Ultra.

This will be submitted to the assessments office in Student Central Coach Lane Campus Library for moderation by the academic module team and external examination.

MLO 1; MLO 2; MLO 3; MLO 4; MLO 5; MLO 6 MLO 7