Registry

Module Specifications

Archived Version 2004 - 2005

Module Title	Research Skills for Practice Development
Module Code	NS504
School	School of Nursing and Human Sciences
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Professor Pamela Gallagher	Office Number	H245E
Level	5	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None

Module Aims

7 To critically analyse the application of research and evidence-based practice to nursing. 7 For students to become proficient in a set of research-related skills and techniques.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module and following a period of personal study students will be able to: 7 Apply the skills involved in systematic reviewing to understand the strengths and weaknesses of a body of research. 7 Critically analyse the application of the evidence-based approach to nursing. 7 Take due account of such features as methodology and external validity in making a critical evaluation of the relevance of a piece of research of nursing practice. 7 Identify and debate how research can be applied to clinical practice with reference to action research methodologies and evaluation research. 7 Use data handling skills to choose and implement descriptive and inferential statisical analyses of numerical data, and be able to undertake a descriptive analysis of data. 7 Use an interpretive method such as content analysis in understanding qualitative data. 7 Apply the skills involved in questionnaire development to practical issues amenable to a survey methodology. 7 Successfully negotiate the process of presenting a piece of research to a professional audience.

Indicative Time Allowances
	Hours
Lectures	30
Tutorials	6
Laboratories	10
Seminars	0
Independent Learning Time	29

Total	75
Placements
Assignments

NOTE

Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.

Indicative Syllabus

Students will be provided with the opportunity to develop a set of research skills through a combination of academic instruction, laboratory work and independent study. The issues covered through these methods will focus on: · Data handling skills (e.g., using SPSS-X to analyse data descriptively and statistically, working with non-parametric and parametric statistics to understand data). · Systematic reviews of literature (e.g., setting criteria for literature searches, using research data bases, critical analysis of research findings, assessing methodological issues to guide interpretation, understanding the principles of meta-analysis and effect sise, assessing the 'grey literature', applying the findings of systematic reviews to practice issues). · Review of research designs (e.g., correlational and experimental designs). · Evaluation research (e.g., quasi-experimental research, Cook & Campbell's criteria for appraising quasi-experiments, validity and reliability in evaluation research, identifying criteria in evaluation research). · Evidence-based practice (e.g., clinical effectiveness, efficiency, appraising sources of information, patient perspectives on service provision). · Action research (e.g., tension systems, Lewin's field theory, action research principles such as unfreezing and refreezing culture and norms, evaluating action research programmes). · Qualitative methods (e.g., using content analysis, principles of discourse analysis, comparison and contrast of approaches such as grounded theory, phenomenology, and critical theory, the use of focus groups in qualitative research, research skills such as triangulation and bracketing). · The design and construction of questionnaires (e.g., selecting dimensions in designing questionnaires, question order and question wording effects, scaling survey responses, item analysis, analyzing the results of surveys, principles and applications of psychometric assessment). · Presenting a piece of research as a finished product (e.g., integrating obtained data with the theoretical basis to the research, drawing sustainable conclusions and presenting them in an appropriate format for a professional audience).

Assessment
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Indicative Reading List

Essential: Coakes, S.J., & Steed, L.G. (2001). SPSS without anguish. Chichester: Wiley. Crombie, I.K. (1996). The pocket guide to critical appraisal. London: BMJ Publishing Group. Denzin, N.K., & Lincoln, Y.S. (2000). Handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Polit, D.F., & Hungler, B.P. (1998). Nursing research: Principles and methods. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. Rossi, P.H., Freeman, H.E., & Lipsey, M.W. (1999). Evaluation: A systematic approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Shaughnessy, J.J., Zechmeister, E.B., & Zechmeister, J.S. (2000). Research methods in psychology. Boston: McGraw Hill. Supplementary: Abbott, P., & Sapsford, R. (1998). Research methods for nurses and the caring professions. Buckingham: Open University Press. Aron, & Aron, E.N. (1999). Statistics for psychology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Gahan, C. (1998). Doing qualitative research using QSR NUD*IST. London: Sage. Gantley, M. (1999). Introduction to qualitative research for health professionals. London: Royal College of General Practitioners. Hayes, N. (1997). Doing qualitative analysis in psychology. Hove: Erlbaum. Hoskins, C.N. (1998). Developing research in nursing and health: Quantitative and qualitative methods. New York: Springer Verlag. Howell, D. (1997). Statistical methods for psychology. Belmont, CA: Duxbury Press. Kline, P. (1993). The handbook of psychological testing. London: Routledge. Lobiondo-Wood, G., & Haber, J. (1997). Nursing research: Methods, critical appraisal and utilisation. St. Louis: Mosby. Mason, J. (1996). Qualitative researching. London: Sage. Silverman, D. (2000). Doing qualitative research: A practical handbook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Parry, G., & Watts, F. (1996). Behavioural and mental health research. Hove: Erlbaum Struebert, H., & Carpenter, D. (1999). Qualitative research in nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott. Thompson, D., & Martin, C. (2001). Design and analysis of clinical nursing research studies. London: Routledge. Thorogood, M., & Coombes, Y. (2000). Evaluating health promotion. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Zechmeister, J.S., Zechmeister, E.B., & Shaughnessy, J.J. (2001). Essentials of research methods in psychology. Boston: McGraw Hill. Useful journals: Journal of Health Education American Journal of Health Promotion Psychological Bulletin American Psychologist

Programme or List of Programmes

GCPC

GCert - Health Promotion in Primary Care

GNSAD

GD Nursing,Addictions/Substance-Related

GNSAMH

GDip Nursing - Acute Mental Health

GNSCMH

GDip Nursing - Community Mental Health

GNSGN

GDip in Nursing (Gerontology)

GNSID