Stand Alone Module

Generating Knowledge for Practice

15 Credits

Duration:: One Semester
Start Dates:: February
Attendance:: Thursdays (weekly from 16 Feb to 17 May)
Venue:: Uxbridge Campus
Cost:: Available on request

Key Contact:: Julie Irwin
Tel:: 01494 522 141
Email:: julie.irwin@bucks.ac.uk

Is this course suitable for me?

This module is suitable for health care professionals working in a variety of clinical settings who are working or striving towards becoming advanced practitioners.

Overview

This module will enable you to develop a critically evaluative and conceptual understanding of research methods and approaches and your contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the specialist practice field.

Content

The appraisal of the various sources of knowledge for practice, including research evidence, policy documents, and local population based data, literature reviews, trial and error, anecdote and opinion.

The historical and philosophical foundations of research approaches and designs in the rationalistic and naturalistic paradigms, including the randomised controlled trial, quasi experiment, survey, action research, grounded theory approach, ethnography, phenomenology and case study.

The generation of new knowledge through research enquiry, commencing with an exploration of research questions, statements and hypotheses.

The place of literature review in designing research questions: systematic reviews, extended literature reviews, the use of literature reviews in undertaking meta-analysis of previous research findings.

Addressing ethical issues that arise when undertaking research: the role and function of the local research ethics committee. A practical examination of a research proposal submitted to a research ethics committee.

The concepts of internal and external validity and reliability in relation to research approaches and designs; maximising these in the design of research projects.

The application of the concept of’ ‘trustworthiness’ in designing naturalistic research studies and its relationship to validity and reliability.

The strengths and limitations of utilising various sampling methods in research, and their applicability to the overall design of the research. The relationship of sampling to the trustworthiness, validity and reliability of the research.

The analysis of data generated through research: quantitative and qualitative data.

Using of software packages in analysing data – a practical demonstration.

Presentation of research reports and issues involved in writing a research proposal.

What will I learn?

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Explore the range of sources of knowledge that provides the foundation for practice, including the contribution of research to the development of specialist practice
Critically evaluate the contribution of research approaches and designs that provide the current evidence base for specialist practice
Demonstrate a systematic, critical understanding of the philosophical foundations of research approaches and designs
Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the influential effect of the principles of the various research approaches and designs in the practice of generating knowledge for practice
Determine the appropriateness of research approaches and designs in developing specific aspects of specialist practice knowledge
Explore the range of sources of knowledge that provides the foundation for practice, including the contribution of research to the development of specialist practice

Teaching and learning

Weekly sessions in the classroom will include:

Lectures
Debates
Groups Discussions
Student led seminars
Practical demonstrations

Lectures will be used to introduce principles, theories and policy information which will provide a foundation for debate and discussion

Members of the Research Centre for Health Studies will be invited to share their research experience with the students in order to provide them with practical insights into conducting research.

A member of a local research ethics committee will be invited to explore the process of applying for ethics committee approval.

The essay will provide you with the opportunity to explore the nature of knowledge that underpins specialist practice and the philosophical foundations of research approaches and designs that provide evidence for practice. In doing so, you will have a greater understanding of how the various techniques of research have been used to create and develop knowledge in the specialist practice field, and where areas requiring enquiry to enhance client care remain. An emphasis on the practical application of research designs and approaches in developing knowledge to enhance client care will facilitate your independent learning in semester two when undertaking the literature review and writing a research proposal.

Entry requirements

Registered professional qualification (e.g. nursing)
60 level 6 credits (or equivalent)
Normally a minimum of 2 years experience in a relevant clinical area
Support of the clinical manager and a suitably qualified mentor/assessor
Opportunity to work outside usual clinical area, if necessary, to gain specific clinical competence

How to make an application

Please contact the Enquiries Team on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk

We hope to have a fully on-line application system shortly, but in the meantime, to apply for a course, please download and print these forms, completing them fully and posting back to the address below.

Mike Thomson

Student Recruitment Officer

Bucks New University

106 Oxford Road

Uxbridge

UB8 1NA

If you are unable to view the forms, please click here to download a free version of adobe reader.

Alternatively, if you call us on 01494 603 171 or email ask@bucks.ac.uk we can post you a hard copy application pack.

Students funded by the NHS or other employer

If the cost of your course is being funded by your employer, please contact your education lead or manager for guidance as to how they would prefer you to make an application.