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  2. Evidence Based Practice in Health Care [NCS1202]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Evidence Based Practice in Health Care

  • Unit Code

    NCS1202

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    3

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to the concept of evidence based practice and its application to health and clinical care. Using the principles of inquiry-based learning, students will examine research and evidence based case studies to understand how clinical problems can be addressed and clinical knowledge expanded using research and evidence based practice. An evidence based practice model will be used as the framework to encourage students to engage with and critique the current evidence base of clinical practices. The unit will introduce the student to the principles of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, the research process and ethical issues around undertaking research.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NST3209

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Assess the quality of evidence derived from nursing and midwifery research literature.
  2. Discuss the concept of evidence based practice and its application to the development of clinical protocols and recommendations.
  3. Discuss the ethical principles underpinning research process.
  4. Explain the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of research commonly used to enhance clinical practice.
  5. Interpret research findings and describe the practice implications.
  6. Recognise the importance of adhering to the protocols and policy of institutions that are derived from quality evidence.

Unit Content

  1. Accessing and appraising evidence based literature including primary research, literature reviews and systematic reviews.
  2. Data analysis techniques.
  3. Ethical considerations in research.
  4. Evaluating research for clinical relevance.
  5. Introduction to evidence based practice, including levels of evidence and how this informs clinical protocol development, accountability and clinical governance.
  6. Qualitative research methods.
  7. Quantitative research methods.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, online.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
Tutorial PresentationCase Study Analysis40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination60%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentCase Study Analysis40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination60%

Text References

  • ^ Courtney, M., McCutcheon, H. (2010). Using evidence to guide nursing practice (2nd ed.). Sydney: Elsevier.
  • Parahoo, K. (2006). Nursing research principles, process and issues (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Palgrave MacMillan.
  • Taylor, B., Kermode, S., & Roberts, K. (2011). Research in nursing: Evidence for practice (4th ed.). Australia: Cengage.
  • Bowling, A. (2009). Research methods in health (3rd ed.). England: Open University Press.

Journal References

  • Evidence Based Nursing
  • Research in Nursing and Health
  • Nursing Research
  • Applied Nursing Research
  • Journal of Advanced Nursing

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

NCS1202|3|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Nursing and Midwifery

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Evidence Based Practice in Health Care

  • Unit Code

    NCS1202

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    3

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online

Description

This unit introduces students to the concept of evidence based practice and its application to health and clinical care. Using the principles of inquiry-based learning, students will examine research and evidence based case studies to understand how clinical problems can be addressed and clinical knowledge expanded using research and evidence based practice. An evidence based practice model will be used as the framework to encourage students to engage with and critique the current evidence base of clinical practices. The unit will introduce the student to the principles of qualitative and quantitative research approaches, the research process and ethical issues around undertaking research.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded NST3209

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Assess the quality of evidence derived from nursing and midwifery research literature.
  2. Discuss the concept of evidence based practice and its application to the development of clinical protocols and recommendations.
  3. Discuss the ethical principles underpinning research process.
  4. Explain the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of research commonly used to enhance clinical practice.
  5. Interpret research findings and describe the practice implications.
  6. Recognise the importance of adhering to the protocols and policy of institutions that are derived from quality evidence.

Unit Content

  1. Accessing and appraising evidence based literature including primary research, literature reviews and systematic reviews.
  2. Data analysis techniques.
  3. Ethical considerations in research.
  4. Evaluating research for clinical relevance.
  5. Introduction to evidence based practice, including levels of evidence and how this informs clinical protocol development, accountability and clinical governance.
  6. Qualitative research methods.
  7. Quantitative research methods.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, online.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPlan for the Case study 10%
AssignmentCase Study Analysis40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentPlan for the Case Study 10%
AssignmentCase Study Analysis40%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • Polit, D. & Beck, T. (2014). Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising Evidence for Practice. (8th ed.). Sydney, Australia: Wolters Kluwer Health.
  • Fedoruk, M. & Hofmeyer, A. (Eds.). (2014). Becoming a Nurse: an Evidence-Based Approach. (2nd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Oxford University Press.
  • Taylor, B., Kermode, S., & Roberts, K. (2014). Research in nursing: Evidence for practice (5th ed.). Australia: Cengage.
  • Melnyk, B. & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & HealthCare: a Guide to Best Practice. (3rd ed.). Melbourne, Australia: Wolters Kluwer Health.
  • ^ Courtney, M., McCutcheon, H. (2010). Using evidence to guide nursing practice (2nd ed.). Sydney: Elsevier.
  • Bowling, A. (2009). Research methods in health (3rd ed.). England: Open University Press.

Journal References

  • International Journal of Nursing Practice
  • International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare
  • Applied Nursing Research
  • Journal of Advanced Nursing
  • Evidence Based Nursing
  • Research in Nursing and Health
  • Nursing Research

Website References

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

NCS1202|3|2