What will I learn on this module?
This module occurs in semester 1 of the BSc (Hons) Nursing Science Programme. In this module you will be supported and encouraged to engage with published research and other types of evidence that inform nursing practices. You will be given the opportunity to explore research terminology, methodologies and methods through the consideration of relevant research studies in an enquiry-based learning (EBL) approach. The aims of the module will be to support and develop your knowledge about research so as to increase your confidence as a consumer of the research evidence underpinning nursing practice. Skills will be developed that allow appreciation of the variety of approaches to research used in healthcare research and you will be able to critically examine the quality of research and discuss the value within nursing.
On this module you will explore the following topic areas:
* Life-Long Learning and Professional Practice: The introduction of evidence to inform nursing practice. Ethical issues in research.
* Research methodological approaches and their value to nursing and healthcare practice: methodologies and methods used in research. Critical evaluation of research quality.
* Data Management and Metrics: Research Governance, ethics and protecting vulnerable people.
* Evidence Based Practice: This will include debate around the hierarchies of research evidence and the production of protocols and guidelines that inform nursing practice.
This module will enable you to develop life long learning skills that will benefit your future career pathway in nursing.
How will I learn on this module?
A variety of different approaches to learning and teaching are used on this module to ensure that students’ different student learning styles are taken into account. Formal lectures provide the underpinning knowledge and theory. In seminars you will use Enquiry Based Learning (EBL) to work with your colleagues to discuss topics and to find answers to challenging questions. This module also contains a number of practical workshop sessions where you will work through exercises in small groups using authentic scenarios based on nursing and health related subjects. Digitally recorded clips from suitable websites will be used to support authentic learning and a series of formative activities will help support the summative material within your digital workbook to be submitted at the end of the module. This module is supported with materials on the Electronic Learning Portal (ELP) where you will find all your teaching materials and additional information to help you learn. You can listen again to key lectures which have been recorded and are stored on the E Learning Portal.
In addition, the electronic reading lists will highlight to you the texts that will be of use in supporting your journey on this module.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
The lecturers on this module will provide you with academic support. You will be allocated a marker who you will be able to meet with before you hand in your assignment and who will provide you with personal support with your work. Your peers on the Nursing Science Programme will also be able to provide you with support. Many of the activities undertaken within seminar sessions are aimed at enabling fellow students to talk and learn with one another. Your Guidance Tutor (GT) will support you throughout the whole programme but can also support you with academic work if required.
Sessions to support your English Language and study skills continues to run alongside this module where a dedicated team of lecturers aim to support the academic learning of students who do not have English as their first language and who require support with academic writing skills generally. Skills Plus, part of the library services provide helpful guides to support many aspects of your learning within this module.
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. Critically analyse the key features of methodological design in both qualitative and quantitative approaches to research in the evidence-base for health care.
2. Apply recognised frameworks for the critical appraisal of published research for evidence-based practice and use research terminology appropriately.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Evaluate evidence via the evidence-based practice cycle and be able to relate and justify this to the practice of healthcare and nursing practice.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA)
4. Critically reflect on the importance of safeguarding vulnerable groups through ethically conducted research.
How will I be assessed?
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
1: The student will submit an electronic workbook at the end of the module. This contains four short activities each worth 25% of the overall mark. (100%).
(MLO,1, 2, 3,)
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
The aim of the formative assessment is to help prepare students for their summative assignment workbook.
Each week formative activities guide students towards the required activity within the workbook during classroom exercises and directed study.
(MLO,1, 2, 3,)
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
The knowledge you will gain in this module will help to support the rest of your learning within the BSc Nursing Science Programme and will be essential to your role as an Evidence Based Nurse Practitioner throughout helping to inform life long learning principles. This is a very ‘hands on’ module where you will explore how research is constructed and how it can be used to inform nursing practice.
Course info
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
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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