Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
| Module title | Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice |
|---|---|
| Module code | NUR1002 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Mr Kris Deering (Convenor) Dr Holly Sugg (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 80 |
|---|
Module description
The module introduces you to the importance and meaning of ‘evidence’ for informing your nursing practice. You will be supported in developing problem-solving and reasoning skills to guide you in finding, reading and applying relevant evidence for best care practices. Through the support in developing these skills, you will also be able to shape the module based on your own learning and how you perceive the module may evolve to more closely meet your needs.
Module aims - intentions of the module
Through undertaking this module, you will develop skills and understanding to find, read and critically evaluate what can be discerned as useful evidence to inform quality nursing care. As a result, the module aims for you to begin understanding the importance of becoming an evidence-based practitioner. You will integrate Exeter’s seven pillars of nursing with your theoretical and practical knowledge of nursing science in to explore evidence and learn how to manage uncertainty in nursing knowledge and practice, as indicated below:
Within this module you will continue to work across the seven pillars of nursing; patient and public involvement, fundamental essentials of nursing care, evidence for practice; no health without mental health, leadership and management of healthcare, global health and ethics and professionalism.
Academy of Nursing | Health and Care Professions | University of Exeter
Further to this you will continue to demonstrate proficiency against the NMC standards of education (https://www.nmc.org.uk/globalassets/sitedocuments/education-standards/future-nurse-proficiencies.pdf)
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Discuss the nurses role in identifying a range of evidence sources to inform nursing decision-making, practice and ethical care. PPI, F, E, MH, L&M, GH, E&P. NMC standards: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.20, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.12, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 4.9, 7.7, 7.8
- 2. Understand the relevance of different forms of evidence, such as research to the practice of nursing care. PPI, F, E, MH, GH, E&P. NMC standards: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.20, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.12, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 4.9, 7.7, 7.8
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Begin to evaluate different forms of knowledge in the context of providing safe and effective nursing care. PPI, F, E, MH, GH, E&P. NMC standards: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.20, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.12, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 4.9, 7.7, 7.8
- 4. Use appropriate search strategies to identify relevant literature. F, E, L&M, E&P. NMC Standards: 1.7, 1.8, 1.9
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Demonstrate the ability to think critically, apply knowledge and use evidence including the expertise of self and others to solve problems and make informed decisions. PPI, F, E, MH, L&M, GH, E&P. NMC standards: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15, 1.20, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.12, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.8, 4.9, 7.7, 7.8
- 6. Use appropriate sources of evidence to develop own knowledge in terms of a nursing context. PPI, F, E, MH, GH. NMC Standards: 1.7, 1.8, 1.17, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, 4.10
- 7. How to read the paper and appreciate the different parts of it from title, abstract to conclusion. E, MH, GH, E&P. NMC Standards: 1.7, 1.8, 1.9
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, the curriculum will focus on learning about what might constitute ‘evidence’ and applying this knowledge to inform nursing care. Focus will be on how as a practicing nurse you will use evidence to inform your care approaches, consisting of a wide range of views in what might inform evidence and critically evaluating the usefulness of such evidence. This will include but not limited to published research evidence, clinical guidelines, policies and expert views such as from health professionals, clients/patients/service users and their significant others such as carers, friends and family. Other sessions are likely to include:
- Introducing ‘evidence-based practice’ and ‘research’
- Understanding why we need evidence
- Finding research papers using the Exeter online library resources
- How to read a research paper and begin critically evaluating it
Introducing qualitative and quantitative research, and the concept of ‘methodological congruence’
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 152 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 40 | Lectures, Seminars, Workshop, Debates and Professional Discussion |
| Guided Independent Study | 152 | Workbook learning, digital learning, reading and assessment preparation |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Discussion | 1 hr | 1-7 | Peer feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VLOG 1: Search Strategy | 30 | 10 minutes | 1-7 | Written feedback from assessor and grade |
| VLOG 2: Critical Review | 30 | 10 minutes | 1-7 | Written feedback from assessor and grade |
| VLOG 3: Practice Application | 40 | 10 minutes | 1-7 | Written feedback from assessor and grade |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| VLOG (100%) | Any of the vlogs not passed | 1-7 | Up to 4 weeks after results |
Re-assessment notes
Demonstrate the ability to consistently provide safe and effective care underpinned by the evidence base in order to meet the Nursing and Midwifery Council Standards of Proficiency for Registered Nurses (2018) and the Code (2018)
3 items of assessment are required for this module. You must pass all items of assessment and demonstrate professionalism and fitness to practise in accordance with University of Exeter Policy and Procedures for Fitness to Practise and the Academy of Nursing attendance policy in order to progress to Stage 2.
In all cases re-assessment will be in the same format as the original assessment. Where you have been referred/deferred for any form of assessment detailed above you will have the opportunity to retake within a specified period from the date that feedback was provided. In the case of failure or mitigation in one or more OSCE assessments, you will only be referred or deferred in the relevant station(s).
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of deferral, your re-assessment will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment and the overall module mark will not be capped.
If you pass re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), the assessment(s) will be capped at 40% but the overall module mark will not be capped.
If you fail re-assessments taken as a result of referral (i.e. following initial failure in the assessment), you will be failed in the module and the programme.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Bowling, A., 2014. Research methods in health: investigating health and health services. McGraw-hill education (UK).
- Greenhalgh, T., 2019. How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare. John Wiley & Sons.
- Polit, D.F. and Beck, C.T., 2010. Nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia: Woltors Kluwerl Lippincott Williams.
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
- Other resources by Ben Goldacre: https://www.badscience.net/about-dr-ben-goldacre/
- Kings Fund (2024) Back to basics – understanding lived experience and intersectionality in health and care. Available at: https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/blogs/lived-experience-intersectionality-health-care#:~:text=Lived%20experience%20as%20a%20concept,policy%2C%20service%20design%20and%20delivery.
- Nurse blog on why EBP matters to students: https://www.nurse.com/blog/why-evidence-based-practice-matters-to-students-alexanders-student-blog/
- Big Think Piece on standards of evidence: https://bigthink.com/13-8/science-standards-evidence/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1692077523
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | NUR1003, NUR1001, NUR1008, NUR1004 |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 09/12/2024 |
| Last revision date | 17/12/2024 |
