THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2020/2021

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Health in Social Science : Nursing Studies

Undergraduate Course: Working with data to inform nursing, health and social care research: Research (NUST10056)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Health in Social Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course sits in year 3 of the Bachelor of Nursing with Honours (Adult) and builds on the research knowledge developed in the year 2 course Research 2: Evidence and enquiry as it further engages students with the research process i.e. data collection methods and how to work with data. Ethics relating to data collection, analysis and interpretation will be explored in some depth.

Workshops are used to enable students to develop practical skills and a theoretical understanding of both quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and interpretation. Reflexivity is explored theoretically and practically.

The course will be assessed by (1) a seen exam on a structured critical appraisal (80%) of two published studies (one quantitative and one qualitative) which will explore issues of methodologies, data analysis and interpretation and ethical issues addressed in the selected studies and (2) a reflective account of students' learning over the data analysis workshop period (20%).

The skills and knowledge developed in this course can be transferred to other settings and approaches for instance clinical observation, improvement projects, and everyday communication.
Course description This course sits in year 3 of the Bachelor of Nursing with Honours (Adult) and builds on the research knowledge developed in the year 2 course Research 2: Evidence and enquiry as it further engages students with the research process i.e. data collection methods and how to work with data. Ethics relating to data collection, analysis and interpretation will be explored in some depth.

Students develop their critical thinking through engaging in group work in the data analysis workshops.

The course will be assessed by (1) a seen exam on a structured critical appraisal (80%) of two published studies (one quantitative and one qualitative) which will explore issues of methodologies, data analysis and interpretation and ethical issues addressed in the selected studies and (2) a reflective account of students' learning over the data analysis workshop period (20%).

The skills and knowledge developed in this course can be transferred to other settings and approaches for instance clinical observation, improvement projects, and everyday communication.

Indicative content
The content of this course focuses on the development of a critical understanding of working with data in relation to data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Topics that will be covered include:
The research design process
The relationship between theory, philosophical perspective and research design
Rigour in quantitative and qualitative design
Analysis and interpretation of experimental designs
Analysis and interpretation of qualitative designs including arts and humanity based designs
Reflexivity
Ethical issues in research

Student learning experience
The learning experience is split equally between the classroom where students will participate in lectures, small group work and discussion, and workshops where students practically engage with quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and interpretation. Students will collect qualitative and quantitative data in their own time in preparation for the data analysis exercises. Quantitative data analysis workshops will also use large datasets such as the Scottish Household Survey.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2020/21, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 2
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 20, Seminar/Tutorial Hours 10, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 166 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Reflective learning account (20%)
Seen Course examination (80%)
Feedback Formative assessment activities will be offered within workshop sessions and will focus on data analysis activities and examples used in class. These exercises will allow students opportunity to discuss issues in groups and with teaching staff and will feed directly in assessment one (reflective account).

Formative exercises in critique will be offered in class and will facilitate student learning of critique skills, deepening engagement with literature. Exercises and examples will facilitate discussion of a range of ethical and methodological issues and will feed into preparation for the seen exam assessment.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S2 (April/May)A critical appraisal of one quantitative and one qualitative study2:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Critically appraise research methodologies used in quantitative and qualitative nursing and healthcare research.
  2. Critically appraise and apply research methods used in data collection, analysis and interpretation.
  3. Evaluate the ethical implications related to data collection, analysis and interpretation and conduct of a researcher.
  4. Conduct different forms of data collection: e.g., interviews, observation, quantitative data relating to daily activities.
  5. Evaluate and critically appraise rigour in qualitative and quantitative research design.
Reading List
Robson C, McCartan K. (2016) Real world research 4th Ed, Wiley
Brinkmann S, Kvale S (2015) InterViews: learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing Sage: Los Angeles

Blaikie N (2009) Designing social research: the logic of anticipation Polity Press: Cambridge
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Critical thinking, problem solving, analytical thinking, knowledge integration and handling complexity
KeywordsNursing research,qualitative design,quantitative design,data analysis
Contacts
Course organiserDr Susanne Kean
Tel: (0131 6)50 3042
Email: susanne.kean@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Morven Sutherland
Tel: (0131 6)51 3972
Email: Morven.Sutherland@ed.ac.uk
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