Module: Evidence-Based Practice & Research in Nursing

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Evidence-Based Practice & Research in Nursing
Module Code	NUR1023 (ITS: NS202)
Faculty	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health	School	Science & Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To promote an understanding of the role and application of evidence-based practice and research in nursing practice.This module is expected to build on evidence-based practice and research related content covered in previous modules. A higher level of critique is expected from the student in this module with emphasis on nurturing the knowledge and skills for evidence-based nursing practice.

Learning Outcomes

1. Discuss evidence based nursing practice and the relevance of research to it.
2. Describe the various research methodologies and discuss their strengths and weaknesses
3. Critically read research articles
4. Discuss the ethical implications of research

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Tutorial	4	No Description
Independent Study	97	Critical appraisal practice / Study for exam
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20808	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Joanne Cleary-Holdforth	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Written Exam	An assignment pertaining to the knowledge and skills learned in the the module with be submitted by all students undertaking the module.	100%	n/a

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Evidence Based Practice

Quantitative and Qualitative research methods

Critiquing literature

Ethical issues in healthcare research

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Melnyk, BM & Fineout-Overholt, E: 2023, Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice., 5th, Wolters Kluwer Health / Lippincott Williams & Wilkins., Philadelphia.,
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland: 2025, Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Registered Nurses and Registered Midwives, Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, Dublin,
Houser, J.: 2025, Nursing Research: Reading, Using, and Creating Evidence, 6th, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Massachussetts, 284-04329-7
Leufer, T, Cleary-Holdforth, J in Roberts, D and Holland, K (Book Chapter): 2022, Decision-making Skills for Practice., 2nd, Using Evidence for Decision-Making, Oxford University Press, Berkshire.,
Polit DF and Beck, CT: 2021, Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Nursing Practice, 10th, Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins., Philadelphia.,
Lo Biondo-Wood G., Haber J: 2013, Nursing Research methods and critical appraisal for evidence-based practice, 8th, Mosby., St.Louis.,
Aveyard, H, Sharp, P: 2017, A Beginner's Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care, 3rd, McGrawHill Open University Press., Berkshire,,
Gerrish, K, Lacey, A: 2010, The Research Process in Nursing, 6th, Wiley Blackwell., West Sussex.,
Creswell, J and Plano-Clark: 2011, Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, 2nd, Sage, Thousand Oaks CA,

Articles:

Cleary-Holdforth, J.; Fineout-Overholt, E.; O'Mathúna, D.: 2022, Cleary-Holdforth, J.; Fineout-Overholt, E.; How nursing stakeholders in the Republic of Ireland define evidence-based practice and why it matters, Worldviews on Evidence Based Nursing, 19, 39640, 523322
2021: Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs, Implementation, and Organizational Culture and Readiness for EBP Among Nurses, Midwives, Educators, and Students in the Republic of Ireland, Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing (online), 18, 37938, https://doi-org.dcu.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/wvn.12543, 519798, 1
Evidence-based Practice: An Ethical Perspective.: Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing, 14(6), 3, 519799, 1, Cleary-Holdforth, J. & Leufer, T.
Nurse Education in Practice: 9(5), 3, 519800, 1, Cleary-Holdforth, J, Leufer, T, 2008
23(2),: 42- 46., 519801, 1, Leufer, T, Cleary-Holdforth, J, 2008, Evidence-based practice: improving patient outcomes.
35-39: 519802, 1, Greaney, AM, Sheehy, A, Heffernan, C, Murphy, J, Ni Mhaolrunaigh, S, Brown, G, 2012, Research ethics application: a guide for the novice researcher., British Journal of Nursing
519807: 2, Fitzpatrick, J, 2007, Finding the research for evidence-based practice: part 1 – the development of EBP., Nursing Times, 103(17), 32-33,
2: Fitzpatrick, J, 2007, Finding the research for evidence-based practice: part 2 – selecting credible evidence., Nursing Times, 103(18), 32-33.,
Fitzpatrick, J: 2007, How to turn research into evidence-based practice: part 3 – making the case., Nursing Times, 103(19), 32-33., 519810
2009: Guidance on the Adaptation of Clinical Practice Guidelines: Getting Evidence into Practice., Guidance on the Adaptation of Clinical Practice Guidelines: Getting Evidence into Practice.,

Other Resources

None