HNU 303 – Evidence-Based Practice Summative Assignment Brief

HNU 303 Research Proposal and Critique

Use the framework provided in the assignment brief to submit a 2500-word research proposal for a nursing related question of your choice.

This proposal will include critical appraisal (critique) of both a quantitative and a qualitative research study.

This is a 2500-word (fixed word count) piece of work which accounts for all the module marks and assesses all Module Learning Outcomes.

The Submission deadline for this assignment is 13:00hrs on the Monday of Week 8

Submission is in CANVAS (Via Turnitin) as a word document.

HNU 303 Module Learning Outcomes (MLOs):

1. Distinguish between the main research methods and critically appraise the quality of evidence utilised to deliver high quality, safe and effective person-centred care
2. Formulate a rationale for dissertation demonstrating the importance and relevance of the service user and carer involvement
3. Develop the capacity to critically explore and challenge own assumptions that might have informed the reflective process to be implemented
4. Recognise and gain an appreciation and working knowledge of the common pitfalls conducting original research to include ethical issues
5. Comprehensive understanding and critical appreciation of the research process from the development of a ‘good’ research question through to identifying the most appropriate study design and analytical methods that would best answer the research objectives concerned.

The first pages must include the following information by using the ‘Academic Integrity declaration (cover page)’ document:

This includes:

• Name
• Student Number
• Module Code
• Module Title
• Module Leader
• Submission Date and Time
• Assignment:
• Word Count (Excluding cover page, contents and references)
• Statement On Use Of Artificial Intelligence Tools
• Declaration
• Signature
• Date

Please use the following formatting:

• 1.5-line spacing
• size 12; font: Arial, Calibri or New Times Roman
• Left alignment of main text
• No indentation of paragraphs or of the reference list
• Reference list should be formatted with single line spaces.
• Please do not add borders or any other decorative elements to your work.

HNU 303 Structure:

The structure of your assignment MUST include the following section headings and subheadings.

• Introduction
• Discussion and Rationale
  o Quantitative Article Critique
  o Qualitative Article Critique
• Research Question
• Aim & Objectives
• Methodological Frameworks
• PICO or PEO
• Ethics
• Conclusion
• Reference List

Introduction (Links to MLO: 1, 2, 4)

A brief introduction to your chosen topic demonstrating understanding of the topic or issue.

• Introduce the topic of your study and outline its significance (briefly)
• Explain what will be covered as part of this piece of work (i.e. research proposal and discussion which includes critical analysis of two pieces of research relating to your selected topic)

Discussion and Rationale (Links to MLO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Provide more detailed information of your research topic
• Critique one quantitative and one qualitative study relating to your topic using a framework such as CASP
• Use the results of these studies, along with others, to discuss your topic or issue.
• Include links to, and analysis of, current literature and key policies.
• Why have you selected this topic/question? What led you to it?
• Justify the requirement for the research and research question

Ensure that there are sufficient academic sources available to draw on in order to answer your question.

Research Question (Links to MLO: 2)

• This is the question which you want to answer in your study.
• Include only one specific research question.
• It must be clear and concise (If the question is too broad, unclear, has too many sub- parts or contains reference to something so obscure, it will be very difficult or impossible to answer)

Aim & objectives (Links to MLO: 2) Aim

• Must be realistic
• Clearly explains what the research hopes to achieve
• Is fulfilled by the individual objectives.

Objectives

• The research steps you take to achieve the aim.
• Must relate to your overall aim.
• Keep them concise and only include 2 or 3. Certainly no more than 4.

Methodological Frameworks (Links to MLO: 1, 3, 4, 5)

• Why are they used?
• Include a brief overview of specific frameworks and why they are appropriate for your topic/question.
• Are you proposing a qualitative or quantitative study?
• Which approach/framework is suitable for your study?

PICO or PEO (Links to MLO: 3, 5)

• Are you using PICO or PEO? Why? Support this choice.
• Include details of your Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome for PICO or Population, Exposure and Outcome for PEO.
• Use of PICO or PEO (support choice as to why).

Ethics (Links to MLO: 2, 4, 5)

• What are the ethical implications?
• What will you do in your study to ensure it is completed in an ethical manner?
• Why must ethics be considered?

Conclusion (Links to MLO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• Provide an overview of what has been discussed in the main body
• Draw your ideas/findings together
• Not include any new facts/information/discussion
• Be short and concise