Accessibility statement

Evidence-Based Practice - HEA00168M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will support you in developing your evidence-based practice skills in your advanced practice journey. You will develop your skills in evidence-based practice by understanding how to gather evidence from patients, their families, and others through questioning and exploring their experiences. You will combine this with understanding the relevant research, policies and guidelines that inform practice and combine these elements together to act as the foundation for the remainder of your programme.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2023-24

Module aims

This module will support you in developing your evidence-based practice skills in your advanced practice journey. You will develop your skills in evidence-based practice by understanding how to gather evidence from patients, their families, and others through questioning and exploring their experiences. You will combine this with understanding the relevant research, policies and guidelines that inform practice and combine these elements together to act as the foundation for the remainder of your programme

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Critically reflect on the need for and methods of gathering evidence from various sources including the patient, research, policies and guidelines.

  2. Critically consider decision-making theory and articulate diagnostic reasoning with reference to underpinning clinical science, theory, and evidence.

  3. Develop an in-depth understanding of evidence-based practice from systematic examination of existing knowledge and research question construction, through research design, data collection, and analysis, to reporting and dissemination.

  4. Critically explore the concept of diagnosis with reference to history, culture, professional identity and personal perspectives.

  5. Communicate an understanding of ethical issues which underpin professional practice with reference to evidence-based practice.

  6. Synthesise the evidence to make evidence-based decisions.

Module content

Exploring evidence

  • Considering what evidence is - research, patient based, critical reflection on self
  • Developing critical reflection skills to generate evidence
  • Generating evidence through reflection

Research

  • Introduction to research methods and main designs used in health care
  • Qualitative and quantitative paradigms
  • Searching for the evidence
  • Critical appraisal of evidence
  • Approaches to analysing different types of evidence
  • Ethical considerations and research governance
  • Service user/carer and patient engagement with research

Diagnostics and decision making

  • Definitions and models of clinical diagnosis – historical, cross professional and cross cultural perspectives
  • Decision making theory and its application to diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making
  • The accuracy of diagnostic testing: sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, risk and probability.
  • Shared decision making
  • Decision making in those with communicative challenge
  • Making decisions and judgements

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

Non-compensatable

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Written feedback for the summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Elliott, G. Kadi-Hanifi K. (2018) Your guide to successful postgraduate study (student success) Sage Study Skills: UK

Flick, U. (2020). Introducing research methodology: Thinking your way through your research project Sage Publications: UK

Greenhalgh, T (2019). How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence-Based Practice 6th edition Wiley Blackwell: UK

Jasper, M. Rosser, M. Mooney, G. (2013) Professional Development, reflection and decision making in nursing and health care (Advanced Healthcare Practice) Wiley Blackwell: UK

Sox H, Higgins M, Owens D (2013). Medical Decision Making. Wiley Blackwell


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.