Module: Research & Nursing Practice 2

Module Specifications

Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Research & Nursing Practice 2
Module Code	NUR1042 (ITS: NS312)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

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. 1D646E0E-A71E-0001-6BDF-15271566A690
2. Critically discuss key differences between qualitative and quantitative research.
4. 22,20,18,7,12,6,23,8,19,21,11,9,10
5. 1
6. 1D646E0E-ABA5-0001-E7F6-1CAC51407BA0
7. Identify a particular area of practice for critical review
9. 22,17,20,18,7,12,16,6,23,8,19,21,11,9,10
10. 2
11. 1D646E0E-AF39-0001-6C6D-1F5012C05F40
12. Formulate focused practice related questions to guide critical review of the literature
14. 22,17,20,18,7,12,6,23,8,19,21,11,9,10
15. 3
16. 1D646E0F-4CBE-0001-7D69-183013901A94
17. Critically evaluate and consider the practical use of a variety of research methods
19. 22,17,20,18,7,12,6,23,8,19,21,14,11,9,10
20. 4
21. 1D646E0F-5969-0001-9617-1CB01A2CD540
22. Identify published research that answers their chosen research question and critically evaluate the quality of the research designs presented in the publications
24. 22,17,20,18,7,12,6,23,8,19,21,11,9,10
25. 5
26. 1D646E0F-6910-0001-57BE-1CF01A8C19F0
27. 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
29. 22,17,20,18,7,12,6,23,8,19,21,14,11,9,10
30. 6

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Face-to-face lectures delivering core theoretical content on research methodologies, evidence-based practice, and critical appraisal.
Workshop	4	Interactive, facilitated sessions where students actively develop research questions, conduct literature searches, and apply critical appraisal frameworks to research studies, supporting the development of evidence-based practice skills.
Independent Study	97	Directed and self-directed learning including literature searching, reading research studies, and preparation of the critical appraisal assignment
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	20816	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Hazel Ní Chonchubhair	Module Teacher	Paula Flanagan

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Assignment	Students will undertake a structured critical appraisal of three primary research studies relevant to a defined clinical question. The assignment requires students to demonstrate the ability to formulate a research question, conduct a systematic literature search, critically appraise the quality of research evidence, and synthesise findings to inform evidence-based nursing practice.	100%	Sem 2 End

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

Foundations of Evidence-Based Practice
Principles and evolution of evidence-based practice Integration of research evidence, clinical expertise and patient preferences Role of EBP in improving patient outcomes and quality of care

Research Methodologies
Key characteristics of qualitative and quantitative research Overview of research designs (e.g., RCTs, cohort studies, qualitative designs) Concepts of validity, reliability and rigour

Developing Research Questions
Identifying clinical problems and practice gaps Use of frameworks (PICO, PEO, SPIDER) Translating practice issues into searchable questions

Literature Searching and Evidence Retrieval
Database searching (e.g., CINAHL, PubMed) Use of keywords, Boolean operators and MeSH terms Inclusion/exclusion criteria and search strategies

Critical Appraisal of Evidence
Appraisal of qualitative and quantitative studies Use of critical appraisal tools Evaluating methodological quality, bias and applicability

Synthesising Evidence
Comparing and contrasting research findings Identifying patterns, gaps and inconsistencies Drawing evidence-informed conclusions

Application to Practice
Translating evidence into clinical decision-making Barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence Role of the nurse in promoting evidence-based care

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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,
Helen Aveyard,Pam Sharp: 2019, A Beginner's Guide to Evidence Based Practice in Health and Social Care, Open University Press, 224, 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

Articles:

0: Evidence Based Nursing, Evidence Based Nursing, http://ebn.bmjjournals.com/, 525289, 2
Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing: Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal,

Other Resources

1: Website, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), (UK)., National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), (UK).,
421866: 1, Website, National Guideline Clearninghouse (US), National Guideline Clearninghouse (US),
http://www.guideline.gov/: 421867, 1, Website, Royal College of Nursing (UK), Royal College of Nursing (UK)
http://www.rcn.org.uk: 421868, 1, Website, The Centre for Advancement of EBP at Arizona State University, The Centre for Advancement of EBP at Arizona State University
http://nursing.asu.edu/caep/: 421869, 1, Website, The Joanna Briggs Institute, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia., The Joanna Briggs Institute, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.
http://www.joannabriggs.edu.au/about/home.php: 421870, 1, Website, Health Service Executive (Ireland), Health Service Executive (Ireland)
http://www.hseland.ie: 421871, 1, Website, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews