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Integrating Research with Contemporary Practice
Key information
Course Leader: Dr Aileen Wilson (a.wilson27@herts.ac.uk)
Level: 7
Credits: 15
Mode of delivery: Online
Learner Hours: Scheduled Hours - 28, Independent Hours - 122
Available places: 40
Dates
- 23/09/2026
- 27/01/2027
Fees and Funding
£945.00
The price quoted above is for a 15 credit module in the 2026/27 academic year and applies to students who are assessed as Home fee payers ONLY. Fees will differ for students assessed as Overseas fee payers. Fee assessment decisions follow UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) guidance, which is based on UK law and government regulations. Further information on who will pay Home or Overseas tuition fees can be found here: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/will-i-pay-home-or-international-tuition-fees
Once confirmed, a student’s fee status will normally remain the same for the duration of their course. However, information regarding fee reassessment is available here: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/will-i-pay-home-or-international-tuition-fees#FeeReassessment
Eligible students may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Student Loan. Please note that to access this funding, you must enrol on the full MSc programme; funding is not available for individual modules or interim awards (for example, a Postgraduate Diploma). Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan
Further details, including tuition fee amounts, fee policy and payment deadlines, can be found here : https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/fee-information/fees-and-finance-policy-documents
If you require further information or have any questions regarding fees, please contact: cpdhealth@herts.ac.uk
Course Overview
The aims of this module are to enable the student to critically evaluate and analyse a range of research and practice-based evidence and consider how this may be used to enhance and inform practice.
Module Content:
This module will examine the epistemology of research, the principles of ethical research and a critical analysis of how it is used in practice. Key aspects of content will address data collection and analysis methods and concepts of validity, reliability, rigour and trustworthiness. It will also incorporate other forms of evidence including audit and service evaluation. The emphasis throughout this module will be on the use and relevance of research skills to practitioners seeking to assess, improve or evaluate services.
The module will harness students existing personal and life skills and knowledge of care as a basis for developing learning that is relevant and focussed on their practice needs and stage of professional development.
The module learning outcomes will be met through a combination of activities including lectures, small group work and work-based activities designed to link theoretical perspectives with practice. Tutorials will be used to enable students to discuss specific issues that interest them in the context of their practice. Additionally, online and work-based activities will be used to enhance self-directed learning.
Learning and teaching will normally include:
- An introduction to research methodologies and methods, including secondary research (systematic review and meta-analysis).
- Critical examination of a range of ways of collecting qualitative and quantitative data.
- Critical examination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques including commonly used statistics and qualitative methods such as thematic analysis.
- Methods of standardising measurement techniques and ensuring validity, reliability, credibility and trustworthiness.
- The principles of ethical research
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
Successful students will typically...
- Critically evaluate and discuss qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and relevant research theories.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, resource, and ethical implications.
- Critically discuss how research generates new knowledge and addresses shortfalls in existing knowledge in practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of how a complex web of evidence may be applied in professional practice.
Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills:
Successful students will typically...
- Conduct a literature search and retrieve a range of international and national research evidence relevant to professional practice.
- Utilise a systematic and integrative approach to evidence, applying theories where appropriate.
- Recognise the complex interactions between evidence, resources, and other organisational constraints.
Number of Learner Hours:
1. Scheduled - 28
2. Independent - 122
3. Placement/work-based learning - 0
Assessment
The assessment for this module is a presentation which critically appraises research relevant to a clinical issue from the students own area of practice.
The presentation should demonstrate a critical awareness of how research may be used to refine understanding of the clinical issue and facilitate evidence-based practice.
What our students say
“Great support from the module leader and the module team.”
“Clear explanations and discussion of the assessments, and lecture recordings allowing students to support learning on different types of research methodology.”
“Knowledgeable and very helpful lecturers, thank you.”
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
Successful students will typically:
Critically evaluate and discuss qualitative and quantitative research paradigms and relevant research theories.
Demonstrate a critical awareness of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, resource, and ethical implications.
Critically discuss how research generates new knowledge and addresses shortfalls in existing knowledge in practice.
Demonstrate understanding of how a complex web of evidence may be applied in professional practice
Intellectual, Practical and Transferable Skills:
Successful students will typically:
Conduct a literature search and retrieve a range of international and national research evidence relevant to professional practice.
Utilise a systematic and integrative approach to evidence, applying theories where appropriate
Recognise the complex interactions between evidence, resources, and other organisational constraints
Assessment
The assessment for this module is a presentation which critically appraises research relevant to a clinical issue from the student’s own area of practice. The presentation should demonstrate a critical awareness of how research may be used to refine understanding of the clinical issue and facilitate evidence-based practice.