AC6749 - Understanding and developing evidence for practice

What will I learn on this module?

You will learn and develop skills to become a critical consumer of evidence and research as it relates to local and national contemporary health and social practice. You will explore differing philosophies underpinning evidence assessing the quality of evidence in relation to your context of health & social provision, and the politics of evidence-based practice. You will learn to debate the philosophical theoretical and methodological underpinnings of the nature and variety of evidence used in practice. You will be expected to progress and develop practice through the acquisition of advanced skills in synthesis, knowledge and theory. In addition, you will gain skills through appraisal of practice examples, reflecting the politics of practice review and inquiry, exhibiting skills in presentation, negotiation, and networking, essential in health and social practice environments.

How will I learn on this module?

You will experience a variety of teaching and learning methods on this module which you can use to link theory to your practice. Your learning will occur through lectures, seminars, and independent study. However, the range of methods will also include online learning, group work and discussion including campus delivery. The subject matter lends itself to evidence-based enquiry and debate with a practice-based focus, and your tutor will guide and encourage you in this learning method.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported through regular feedback from your tutor, within the seminar and discussion format of specific teaching sessions and in tutorials. Peer review and formative feedback will be utilised throughout the delivery and during formative assessment. In addition, a discussion board for your module will be established on Northumbria University’s eLearning platform ‘Blackboard Ultra’ (BBU), BBU also allows remote access to materials and aids for module students to access (populated, managed and kept up to date by your module tutor). You will be supported throughout the programme by your personal tutor.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Select and critically analyse different types of evidence, data, and information to inform health & social practice.
2. Accurately deploy established techniques of analysis and enquiry within the discipline to evaluate health and social practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Engage in the effective use of ICT to facilitate professional development and communication.
4. Evaluate health & social practice dilemmas and concepts, and appropriately articulate information and ideas to varying audiences.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Develop self-directed learning skills in order to formulate strategies for lifelong learning and improvement of health & social practice.

How will I be assessed?

Formative assessment will take place in the form of student led seminars. This will enable the student to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes and the synthesis of theory and practice. A formative 10-minute presentation to peers will inform the student’s summative submission and offer a feedback opportunity to improve their evidence of learning through reflection and constructive feedback.
Summative assessment will consist of an evaluation of evidence, contextualised to the student’s area of practice, relating to an aspect of health and social practice delivery of the student’s choosing. This will be a digital submission of a 2500-word essay via Turnitin.
Feedback will be provided electronically via Turnitin and will include development advice for future academic work (MLO 1-5).

Pre-requisite(s)

Entry Diploma of HE (120xL5) with professional registration with relevant PSRB
OR Advanced Diploma (120xL5 + 60xL6) with professional registration wi

Co-requisite(s)

Module abstract

The Module ‘Understanding and evidence for practice’ is a module of study designed to support individuals working in health and social practice wishing to demonstrate underpinning of your practice, and to gain a deeper understanding of your own use of evidence and knowledge in your daily practice. The module will enable you to critically reflect on your existing knowledge and skills challenging existing behaviours and practice through exposure to innovative ideas and frameworks relevant to health and social practice. Use of the current evidence base and research in increasing awareness and evaluative skills in both of these areas is essential in improving health and social practice. Assessment is by both formative presentation and summative written assignment which will demonstrate acquired knowledge of these complex areas, contextualised, and focussed on your own area of practice.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 2 years Part Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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