NURSING 7030 - Undertaking Nursing Research: Exploring issues in clinical practice

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course focuses on how to conduct nursing research. It covers a range of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and methods with a focus on how to use these research approaches and tools to identify answers to problems, issues and questions. Practical aspects of undertaking research are explored with an emphasis on research skill development. Course content includes philosophical underpinnings of research, ethical considerations, literature searching and reviewing, research methodologies, sampling / participant selection, common data collection methods, techniques for data analysis, writing research proposals and grant applications, managing a research project and dissemination research findings.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code NURSING 7030
    Course Undertaking Nursing Research: Exploring issues in clinical practice
    Coordinating Unit Adelaide Nursing School
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Weekly online sessions for domestic students; face to face weekly compulsory sessions for international students as per ESOS compliance
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites NURSING 7102OL
    Restrictions Master of Nursing Science
    Course Description This course focuses on how to conduct nursing research. It covers a range of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies and methods with a focus on how to use these research approaches and tools to identify answers to problems, issues and questions. Practical aspects of undertaking research are explored with an emphasis on research skill development. Course content includes philosophical underpinnings of research, ethical considerations, literature searching and reviewing, research methodologies, sampling / participant selection, common data collection methods, techniques for data analysis, writing research proposals and grant applications, managing a research project and dissemination research findings.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Lynette Cusack

    Dr Lynette Cusack.
    Dr Morgan Smith
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.



    Week 1 - Introduction to course.

    Week 2 -Theoretical perspectives.
    Week 3 -Using literature to argue a case for research.

    Week 4 -Research design: qualitative research.

    Week 5 -Research design: quantitative and mixed methods.

    Week 6 -Research design: Participant selection.

    Week 7 - Research design: Data collection - individual interviews and focus groups.

    Week 8 -Research design: Data collection - health measurement scales and questionnaires.

    Week 9 - Research design: Analysis.

    Week 10 - Meeting ethical research expectations when applying for ethics approval .

    Week 11- Implementing and managing a research project.

    Week 12- Disseminating research findings.










     

     


  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
       
    1. Compose a research question and propose a
    research methodology.
        
    2. Compose a research method that is congruent with
    the methodology and addresses the question.
         
    3. Identify ethical issues related to the research
    process.
     
    4. Identify strategies for conducting research

     

    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1,2.3.4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1,2,3,4

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    3,4

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    4

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    3

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    1,2,3,4
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Textbook:  Gerrish K & Lathlean J 2015, The research process in nursing, 7th edition. John Wiley and
    Son, Chichester.

    Recommended Resources
    Borbasi, S & Jackson, D 2019, Navigating the maze of research: Enhancing Nursing and Midwifery Practice, 5th edn, Elsevier, Chatswood NSW.

    Denzin, N & Lincoln, Y 2017,  SAGE handbook of qualitative research, 5th edn, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks.

    Liamputtong, P & Ezzy, D 2019, Qualitative research methods, 5th edn,Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

    Polit, D & Beck, C 2016, Nursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice, 10th edn, Lippincott, Philadelphia.
     
    Schneider, Z, Whitehead, D, Elliott, D, LoBiondo-Wood, G, & Haber, J 2018, Nursing and midwifery research: methods and appraisal for evidence-based practice, 6th edn, Elsevier, Chatswood NSW.  (Already purchased for an earlier course)

    Online Learning
    A range of online learning resources will be provided for this course including the course guide, online access to library resources, internal and external weblinks, announcements, discussion boards, lecture recordings, email and Turnitin.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is delivered online.

    Learning resources that will enable you to address the course objectives are provided on the course site.

    Each week students will have theoretical and practical work to complete.

    Readings are accompanied by explanatory text.  Questions and activities designed to address difficult
    concepts are provided.

    Students are encouraged to explore concepts with each other and their lecturer via Zoom and weekly online discussions.


    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.


    It is expected that you will need to invest about 24 hours per week of study to successfully complete this
    course. It is recommended that you plan your time commitment for the course at the beginning of the semester. You will need to ensure you allocate sufficient time to reading, critique, discussion with your peers and assignment writing.

    Learning Activities Summary
    Most learning will occur online. Students who attend the optional weekly tutorial will focus on the application of research related skills.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students will submit all assignments via the associated Canvas page.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Topic statement. Formative. 0%
    Portfolio A. Summative. 40%
    Portfolio B. Summative. 60%
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1
    Topic statement 
    Students identify a topic of research interest.
    Due: week 2

    Assessments 2
    Portfolio A
    Students commence a research proposal on their chosen topic.
    Due: mid-semester

    Assessments 3
    Portfolio B

    Students complete their research proposal and identify issues related to managing their research project. 
    Due: week 12

    Further information will be available on the online course site.
    Submission
    Assessments are to be submitted electronically via MyUni by
    the due date.
    Students who enroll in the course will find course due dates on the course
    online site.
    Turnitin is used to enable students to learn.
    Feedback is provided to students on their assignment.
    Students will receive feedback within 2-3 weeks of submission.
    All Adelaide Nursing School assessment policies apply.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

    Changes to topics proposed by students have been adopted to enhance clarity. The recording of guest lecturer presentations will be managed differently in future to enhance watchability.
  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.