This unit, situated at a developmental level of my course, explored inquiry in clinical practice by examining the role of evidence-based practice and the application of research processes in nursing practice, further synthesized in my final year. I developed skills in the interpretation of evidence, and an overview of various approaches to research was examined to enable me to be an effective consumer of research. The relationship between research, evidence, and safety and quality in health care was explored. This knowledge served as the foundation for all remaining units in the course. Contemporary nursing work required the ability to seek, interpret, analyze, synthesize, and integrate evidence into practice. The facilitation of ongoing improvement in nursing practice required critical thinking, broader perspectives, and decision-making informed by evidence.
see https://www.qut.edu.au/courses/bachelor-of-nursing for full unit information
Learning outcomes
Explain the key concepts and principles of an evidence-based practice approach – including research processes – for provision of safe, person-centred care across the life span
Apply academic literacy and critical thinking skills to locate, seek, interpret, analyse, synthesise, and integrate evidence into practice
Apply knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research approaches to inform contemporary health care.
Projects
Project One
A series of online quizzes to complete throughout the semester.
The quizzes were multiple choice, assessing my knowledge of the content covered in the unit, and were completed online.
Project Two
Written critical analysis.
I compared and contrasted the use of a quantitative and qualitative approach to researching and gaining insights into a particular clinical issue.
Project Three
Poster.
I utilized a structured inquiry-based learning approach to research and presented an informational poster on a health-related problem from a global, national, or local perspective, drawing on evidence to support my findings.
Overall Grading
Mark: 61
Grade: 4
Grade Description: Pass