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• Undergraduate study:
• Courses
• Order a prospectus
• How to apply
• Information for applicants
• Why choose Kingston University
• Disability and mental health support
• Accommodation
• Undergraduate fees
• Fees, funding and payments
• Access, participation and inclusion

Improving Practice through Research

• Module code: MW6009
• Year: 2018/9
• Level: 6
• Credits: 30
• Pre-requisites: Transition to Midwifery Practice and Social and Political Context of Maternity Care
• Co-requisites: Midwifery and Complicated Childbearing

Summary

This module will facilitate you to understand the evidence base underpinning midwifery theory and practice and build on your knowledge of research. The focus is on informing professional practice using relevant evidence and research techniques. The module will enable you to appraise evidence and critically evaluate and contribute to the strategies for improving care through research, audit and clinical governance.

Aims

• Understand the research process and appraise the current evidence base
• Review sources of knowledge which contribute to improving maternity services

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse the importance of a robust study design
• Identify and discuss the theoretical principles underlying different research methodologies
• Demonstrate understanding of the ethical issues arising from research
• Conduct systematic appraisal of research designs and approaches  relevant to midwifery practice
• Design a research proposal using appropriate methods

Curriculum content

• Reviewing the evidence base for practice
• Review of the research process
• Contemporary research approaches
• Formulating research questions
• Sampling
• Data collection approaches, methods and tools
• Exploring concepts of validity and reliability, trustworthiness and credibility.
• Regulation and ethical, legal and professional issues related to empirical  research
• Data protection
• Clinical audit and governance
• Data analysis; qualitative and quantitative methods
• The service user experience and consumer perspectives

Teaching and learning strategy

A variety of teaching and learning strategies will be utilised within this module. A short intensive period of study within the first part of the module will enable the students to revisit research process and develop their understanding in preparation for round table discussions, these will enable students to exchange ideas and explore principles and concepts of research applied to midwifery.

Study space will be used to support the teaching and learning, relevant materials will be available within the module including power point presentations and other E-learning materials.

• Round table discussions
• Lecture presentation
• E-learning materials

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Assessment strategy

Formative: Presentation of the research proposal to peers

Summative: A research proposal: A proposal for a project which has potential to improve care for women and/or babies.

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Elements of Assessment

Achieving a pass

It is a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Cluett, E. and Bluff ,R. (eds)  (2006) Principles and Practice of Research in Midwifery. 2nd edn. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.

Cresswell, J. W. (2009) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches. London: Sage Publications.

Proctor, S. and Renfrew, M. (eds) (2000) Linking Research and Practice in Midwifery: A Guide to Evidence-Based Practice. Edinburgh: Bailliere Tindall.

Rees, C. (2011) Introduction to Research for Midwives. 3rd edn. Edinburgh: Books for Midwives.

Steen M. Roberts T. (2011) The Handbook of Midwifery Research. 1^st edn. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Bibliography recommended reading

Bowling, A. (2009) Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Health Services. 3^rd edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press McGraw-Hill Education.

Foster, I. R. and Lasser, J. 2011. Professional Ethics for Midwifery Practice. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

Polit, C. F. and Beck, C. T. (2010) Essentials of Nursing Research: Appraising the Evidence for Nursing Practice. 7^th edn. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Willams and Wilkins.

Spiby, H. and Munro, J. (eds) (2010) Evidence Based Midwifery: Applications in Context. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

Sui C., Comerasamy H. (2013) Doing a Research Project in Nursing and Midwifery: A Basic Guide to Research Using the Literature Review Methodology. 2^nd edn. London: Sage.

Walliman, N. (ed) (2005) Your Research Project: A Step-by-Step Guide for the First- Time Researcher. 2^nd edn. London: Sage.

Whittaker, A. and Williamson, G. R. (2011) Succeeding in Literature Reviews and Research Project Plans for Nursing Students. Exeter: Learning Matters.

Wickham, S. (ed) (2006) Appraising Research into Childbirth: An Interactive Workbook. London: Elsevier.