The aim of the unit is to develop your analytic skills in the context of evidence-based practice. Having completed the unit you will be able to identify and explicitly define a problem arising from your professional practice, construct an effective search strategy in relation to the problem identified, use appropriate tools for the critical appraisal of evidence and finally present a critical evaluation of the literature in relation to the problem identified.

This is a core unit of the BSc (Hons) Professional Practice course, but can also be taken as a CPD unit on a standalone basis.

The unit will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, discussions, student group work and student managed learning.

This course requires 100% attendance.

All qualified health & social care professionals. This is a mandatory unit for the BSc (Hons) Professional Practice course.

Entry requirements

Normally students may enter Level 6 study if they have been awarded:

• An Advanced Diploma, HND, Dip HE or Foundation Degree (awarded by a UK HEI or Edexcel or SQA)
• An equivalent qualification (the learning outcome of which are demonstrably appropriate in terms of knowledge, understanding and skills) equivalent to 120 credits at Level 5.

If you do not meet this criteria you are still able to apply for this unit but we may ask you to complete a study skills handbook to familiarise yourself with academic writing at Master's degree level. The study skills handbook will be sent to you when we have received your application form.

Fees and funding:

You will need to pay or indicate employer support of payment for unit or course fees to the university.

Applicants working within the NHS or other healthcare providers may be eligible for support with funding from their employer through the Learning Beyond Registration contract with the NHS South of England.

Applicants should contact their employing organisation for further details.

Pre-purchased places

The Faculty of Health & Social Sciences has contractual arrangements with NHS organisations for pre-paid places on specified modules. If you work within Dorset & Somerset or Hampshire & Isle of Wight you may be able to access the pre-paid places. These arrangements allow NHS Trusts to nominate the staff they wish to send on each unit or course.

The pre-arranged agreements allow individuals, such as yourself, a route to access appropriate professional development opportunities that are seen as strategically important to your organisation (in consultation with your Line Manager/Education Co-ordinator). All requests for pre-paid places must first be agreed by your organisation’s Education Lead prior to completing an application.

ILO 1 will be assessed by critical appraisal of a quantitative research article (1000 words) 50% 

ILOs 2-4 will be assessed by students identifying an issue from professional practice, implementing a literature review, and choosing one qualitative paper to present to fellow students. The presentation will be a group presentation and last 20 minutes (2000 word equivalent). 50%

Having completed this unit the student is expected to:

1. Critically appraise and contrast the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods

2. Identify and explicitly define a problem arising from their professional practice

3. Construct an effective search strategy in relation to the problem identified

4. Utilising appropriate tools(s) for critical appraisal of evidence, present a critical evaluation of the literature in relation to the problem identified.