AC7104 - Critical Evaluation of Contemporary Practice

In this module you will learn through a combination of interactive lectures, seminars, workshops and directed study. The module will be delivered at Northumbria University by lecturers who are specialists in this sphere of practice. As practitioners you will be expected to actively engage in the learning process, participate in group work and seminars and apply what is taught in the university to your practice setting.

A blended approach to teaching and learning will be embedded throughout this programme. This includes e-lectures and e-learning materials, seminars, simulation, workshops as well as action learning system, which runs throughout the modules of the programme. Within this module, the lectures and e-learning materials will introduce you to a range of theoretical information, which will prepare you for seminars, where you will learn with students from other professional pathways. As a student you will be encouraged to work with your academic supervisors and peers to engage in student led learning activity, focused on critical application and synthesis of knowledge to your specialist field of practice.



Both research and technology enhanced learning (TEL) are embedded throughout the programme, with e-learning materials available before lectures/seminars. Northumbria University reflects a research rich learning policy, as well as evidence-based learning being a key component of professional practice; therefore, all learning materials are underpinned with contemporary research evidence.

You will be supported by a module team including an identified module leader with comprehensive knowledge and experience of Practice evaluation and service redesign. The Module leader will provide you with an overview of the module and offer tutorials to discuss content, issues and assessment feedback. Constructive feedback to feedforward is given on both formative and summative components. The module is supported by Blackboard Ultra and all modules adhere to the university’s minimum standards. The sites include module information, assessment information, online supported learning, Power-point presentations and e-lectures, reading lists and relevant web links. A discussion board is available to the cohort, through which students can post comments and ask questions of their peers while you are not on campus. As identified above, peer support is encouraged and facilitated via the learning system embedded within this programme. The University Libraries at both Coach Lane and City Campus offer an extensive collection of material, both hard copy and electronic, access to international databases and training in information retrieval. The Student Progress Service delivers a wide range of student support activities, which you will also be able to access. Other academic support systems in place are summarised below:

Study Skills

As part of the induction process you will be guided to additional support available through Skills Plus site, for areas including academic writing, referencing, critical review and writing, research techniques and methods, applied research, reflection and review. Further activities will be embedded throughout the 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.

Knowledge & Understanding:

Apply knowledge and understanding of theory, policy and service provision to evaluate an aspect of health or social practice and utilise skills of analysis and synthesis to explore contradictions between forms of knowledge in relation to challenges to current practice or contradictions between practice and evidence.

Evaluate and critique a range of relevant research evidence to demonstrate underpinning theory and practice



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Comprehend and critique relevant information and data and the impact of this on health and social practice

Develop and advance critical and reflective understanding of professional practice and propose a strategy for future service development which exhibits an understanding of the impact of new roles, models of service development





Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Demonstrate ethical probity and understanding of professional frameworks underpinning practice evaluation

6 Demonstrate personal leadership and management and insight into advanced practice and analyse the broader context of the clinical practice environment and the community of practice to which they belong in order to identify strategies to build capacity and develop self and others.

7. Exhibit self-direction and initiative to develop and advance critical and reflective understanding of professional practice

The assessment strategy reflects both formative and summative components.

Formative assessment will be an on-going key feature of the programme, via student led discussions and e-learning. All assessments within the programme will be operated in accordance with standard operating procedures and marked and moderated in accordance with the Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/university-services/academic-registry/quality-and-teaching-excellence/assessment/ ensuring the academic standards for student awards are met. It is important that you familiarise yourself with the university assessment regulations. Related summative assessments are designed to promote and facilitate student-centred learning and will be clearly articulated within the relevant modules which make up this programme; assessment briefs and marking criteria will be available via Blackboard Ultra.



Summative Assessment

Students will submit a PowerPoint Presentation (1500 words) where they will critically evaluate practice or role within practice. This will be accompanied by a 1000-word critical reflective discussion,

Students will have evidence of previous level 6 study and achieved a degree award of 2:2 or above

N/A

This module enables students to undertake a critical evaluation of practice incorporating an exploration of emerging or advanced roles to meet demands of contemporary health and social care delivery. Consideration of the practice context is crucial and will critically explore current service provision in light of contemporary policy and practice drivers. Practice evaluation is a process that provides the information necessary to critically examine how well a service or role is being implemented and determine any gaps or opportunities for service development. Using a methodological approach to practice evaluation can identify opportunities for role development to effectively meet the needs of services and service users and optimise the use of (limited) resources to where they can have the most impact in addressing need whilst aligning this to commissioning priorities and quality care delivery. This will include exploration of workforce issues including role boundaries, integrated working, and advanced practice.

This module requires students to consider and critique differing forms of evidence on which their practice is based. Quality assurance and governance mechanisms will be explored, and students will be encouraged to recognise the centrality of these concepts to practice and evaluate how they can contribute to systems to measure and improve quality whilst optimising use of existing resources.

Reflection on personal, professional and practice development is an integral component of this module. Students will engage in discussion with clinical specialist staff, colleagues and peers to critically discuss and debate emerging concepts and ideas.