What will I learn on this module?
This module builds on learning in year one to further develop your understanding of the professional expectations of you as a student midwife and will develop your scholarly skills in preparation for the project module in year three.
You will learn about the professional expectations (SPM 1.1) of midwives in relation to challenges in practice. Recognising and raising concerns and responding to service user feedback along with effective challenging of others will be discussed. Consent, capability and advocacy will be critiqued within the framework of the human rights (SPM1.3), ethical concepts, and UK Law (SPM 1.2).
Reflection on professional identity will be key to further exploration of self and the development of relationships with women, their families and other professional groups (SPM1.25). There will also be exploration of social and other media (SPM1.17.3) as a form of communication and how these impact on midwifery practice.
There will be opportunities to revisit previous assessments and feedback and to revisit referencing and academic writing as well as search and retrieval skills. Scholarly skills in communicating via presentations, conferences and publications will be discussed.
You will increase your understanding of the evidence that supports effective practice via discussion of research methodologies, methods and critical appraisal tools. (SPM1.4) Real world research will be used to enable application to midwifery practice (SPM1.5, (SPM5.16)) including consideration of research ethics, consent, and service user involvement. You will consider policy and guidelines and how these are applied and understood by a range of stakeholders including women and their families (SPM1.11). Examples of quality improvement and practice development tools will also be presented for discussion and application to future practice (SPM5.16)
Throughout the module you will be continuing to be supported by your personal tutor who will facilitate reflection on your personal and professional development and facilitate a personalised learning plan to enhance wellbeing and professional capability in making midwifery contributions that inform professional practice (SPM5.17).
How will I learn on this module?
You will learn through a combination of lectures seminars and directed study. Activities will be blended to create a mix of face to face and online activities supported by the University’s Electronic Learning Platform Blackboard Ultra. Seminars will be smaller group sessions designed to facilitate collaborative team learning developing your inquiry and communication skills and signpost further reading and learning activities. Lectures will introduce you to a variety of concepts and theories related to research methods and process, as well as theories of communication. Seminars will provide you with the opportunity to work in groups and explore research and communication skills through an experiential approach that allows you to rehearse your developing skills. A range of resources will be used to consolidate your research and communication skills, including technology-enhanced learning, and engaging with social media.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The academic staff involved in delivering this module will provide guidance and academic counselling to ensure that you are able to confidently engage with the academic rigour of this module. This dialogue will be face-to-face in lectures, seminars or individual tutorials and is an essential aspect of the programme’s assessment for learning strategy. Seminars will form an opportunity for lecturer and peer support and feedback throughout the module as you rehearse your developing insights and abilities concerning midwifery research and advanced communication skills. Information, source material and suggestions for directed and independent reading and activities will be available via the module blackboard site. In addition, the module will be supported by University library staff and resources, including study skills support packages. The library service caters for all your learning needs, has extensive access to electronic texts and tutorials that will directly support the development of academic skills aimed at improving your critical thinking and analytical writing.
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. Apply a range of research methodologies and evaluation strategies and methods commonly used in midwifery.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Critical appraisal of the design and findings of research relevant to midwifery practice.
3. Examine and demonstrate communication skills pertinent to midwifery practice.
4. Discuss legal and ethical considerations in relation to midwifery research and professional practice.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Appraise progress as a professional and scholar.
How will I be assessed?
Formative
Seminars will provide an opportunity for you to explore and rehearse your developing skills regarding midwifery research and advanced communication skills, providing you with academic and peer feedback throughout the module.
Summative
1) 30-minute presentation to peers. Focus ‘Consideration of the integrity of the coverage within the media of a Maternity topic of current interest to pregnant women, through identifying and critiquing the underpinning research evidence’ Marked by academic (100%)
(MLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
Feedback for assessment through ESAF platform via marking rubric and qualitative feedforward comments.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
A pre-requisite to becoming a midwife is the ability to effectively critique and communicate evidence to women and families. This relies on the midwife having the knowledge and skills to identify and appraise the quality, appropriateness and sufficiency of the evidence used to inform and evaluate practice. Ethical considerations within research and practice are explored including the engagement of service users in research and legal and professional issues including informed consent. The module provides the opportunity to rehearse and develop advanced communication skills. The module will continue your journey to becoming a midwife who can support evidence-informed practice decisions, which will benefit the care of women, babies and families. In response to technological advancements, social media as a means of communication will be examined and the assessment has been designed to facilitate building confidence in presentation skills.
Course info
UCAS Code B725
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time (45 weeks per year)
Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health
Location Coach Lane Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
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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