Course Description
In this course students are introduced to the nature of nursing knowledge and evidence-informed practice. Students will examine the role of research in a practice profession, the philosophical and historical foundations of knowledge creation, and are introduced to the relationships among research, theory, education and practice. In addition, students are introduced to their role as research consumers. Students will demonstrate their understanding of evidence-informed practice by critically appraising nursing research and determining its applicability to nursing practice.
Course Content
In this course, the nature of nursing knowledge, the development of an evidenced –informed practice, and the role of research in nursing are the foci of discussion. Concepts and essential content that will be addressed relative to these topics are listed below. In addition, the core curriculum concepts are integrated in this course.
Nature of knowledge
- Ontology
- Epistemology
- Theoretical perspectives
- Support theories
- Theoretical and conceptual frameworks
- Philosophical beliefs
- Paradigms/worldviews
- Deductive and inductive reasoning
- Hypothesis
- Critical inquiry
Evidenced-informed knowledge and practice
- Evidence-based vs. evidence-informed practice
- Electronic database
- Computer database
- Scholarly literature
- Strategies for reviewing the literature
- Conducting systematic reviews
- Integrative review
- PICO
- Critique
- Analysis
- Critiquing criteria
- Evidence hierarchy
- Research consumer
- Rigor
Role of research in nursing
- Research utilization
- Quantitative research
- Qualitative research
- Mixed methods research
- Meta-analysis
- Data
- Research process
Learning Activities
It is the intent of faculty to facilitate student learning, and promote critical inquiry, reflection and analytical reasoning through a variety of learning processes such as lecture, seminar, group discussion and presentation.
Means of Assessment
The course evaluation is consistent with Douglas College Evaluation Policy. A course evaluation schedule and other course evaluation information are provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester. This is a graded course.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of evidence-informed practice with an emphasis on identifying a clinical problem, formulating relevant and specific clinical questions, searching for scientific evidence and evaluating evidence at a beginning level.
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental ways of knowing in nursing.
- Demonstrate application of critical thinking skills and critical reading skills.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the contribution of nursing research to health promotion in nursing practice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of research consumer, the role of nurse in health care research, and the research process, at a beginning level.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational concepts and theories that underpin nursing research.
- Demonstrate an understanding of philosophies (worldviews/paradigms) of research and science.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the theory-practice-research link in the creation of new knowledge for nursing practice.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students:
A list of recommended textbooks and materials is provided on the Instructor’s Course Outline which is available to students at the beginning of each semester.