DCU Home | Our Courses | Loop | Registry | Library | Search DCU
<< Back to Module List

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

All Module information is indicative, and this portal is an interim interface pending the full upgrade of Coursebuilder and subsequent integration to the new DCU Student Information System (DCU Key).

As such, this is a point in time view of data which will be refreshed periodically. Some fields/data may not yet be available pending the completion of the full Coursebuilder upgrade and integration project. We will post status updates as they become available. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Research & Nursing Practice 2
Module Code NS312 (ITS) / NUR1042 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
Module Co-ordinatorPaula Flanagan
Module TeachersJoy Conlon
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Coursework Only
The resit assignment will mirror the original module continuous assessment.
Description

The module aims to enhance knowledge and appreciation of the research process. Students will also develop a greater appreciation of evidence-based practice within a variety of healthcare environments. Students will critically consider the nature of the evidence underpinning nursing practice and engage in structured tutorials focusing on sourcing the best available evidence to underpin decision-making. Students will critically explore a variety of research approaches and will learn how to critically appraise the quality of the research publications they read to determine its utility to practice. Students will be exposed to a variety of learning activities during the course of the module including lectures & seminars and will be expected to participate actively in the learning process available. Students critical academic writing skills will be enhanced with student writing clinics

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically discuss key differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
2. Identify a particular area of practice for critical review
3. Formulate focused practice related questions to guide critical review of the literature
4. Critically evaluate and consider the practical use of a variety of research methods
5. Identify published research that answers their chosen research question and critically evaluate the quality of the research designs presented in the publications
6. Appreciate how evidence based practice is essential to best patient outcomes whilst also appreciating the importance of the development of critical appraisal skills to evaluate the evidence presented



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Face to face lecturing interaction with students
Tutorial4Group work focussing on elements of module tasks including retrieving evidence to underpin assessment. Practical Reading, Reviewing & Critiquing Research Articles
Independent Study97Students independently engage with research topics presented in class to develop their knowledge and appreciation of the research process and to achieve module outcomes.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Indicative Syllabus

Evolution of Evidence-based Practice (EBP).

Key features of quantitative and qualitative approaches to inquiry.

Principles and process of EBP including developing searchable, answerable questions.

Search techniques including database tutorials.

Research design overview; questions, sampling, analysis, validity & reliability in key approaches.

Appraising the literature using tools to determine quality.

Combining clinical expertise with patient preferences (where appropriate) to review the evidence.

Evaluating & recommending for practice.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Assignmentn/a100%
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories:
Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module.
Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

  • Aveyard H: 0, Aveyard H 2020 Doing a Literature Review in health and social care: a practical guide. Berkshire. Open University Press. BermanBrown R and Saunders M 2008 Dealing with Statistics: What you need to know. Open University Press. Berkshire. Burns,
  • Helen Aveyard,Pam Sharp: 2019, A Beginner's Guide to Evidence Based Practice in Health and Social Care, Open University Press, 9780335236039
  • Julius Sims: 2000, Research in Health Care: Concepts, Designs and Methods, 978-074873718
  • Jeremy Jolly: 2020, Introducing Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals, 978-036735053
Other Resources

59452, Website, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), (UK)., 0, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), (UK)., http://www.nice.org.uk/, 59453, Website, National Guideline Clearninghouse (US), 0, National Guideline Clearninghouse (US), http://www.guideline.gov/, 59454, Website, Royal College of Nursing (UK), 0, Royal College of Nursing (UK), http://www.rcn.org.uk, 59455, Website, The Centre for Advancement of EBP at Arizona State University, 0, The Centre for Advancement of EBP at Arizona State University, http://nursing.asu.edu/caep/, 59456, Website, The Joanna Briggs Institute, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia., 0, The Joanna Briggs Institute, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia., http://www.joannabriggs.edu.au/about/home.php, 59457, Website, Health Service Executive (Ireland), 0, Health Service Executive (Ireland), http://www.hseland.ie, 59458, Website, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, 0, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews,

<< Back to Module List