Assignments

Discussion Board and Participation

Each student will provide a scholarly response to scheduled Discussion Board assignments. Students are expected to engage in dialogue that is thought-provoking and inquisitive, while contributing to the discussion. The provided rubric will guide the format for discussion response. Discussion board responses must be completed by the specified due dates. Due dates are designated in the Course Schedule in the Start Here section on Blackboard®. On Weeks 1, 4, and 8, there are optional online seminars via Blackboard, and students can obtain participation points for attending those classes and participating. Students who do not attend those seminars can complete an alternate assignment for that week for participation points.

Literature Review/Article Critique Students will be required to complete an abbreviated literature review and article critique. A literature review is a critical evaluation of previous research, as well as a starting point for the development of new research ideas. A detailed rubric will be provided to guide development and completion. Part I of this assignment involves locating the articles that will be discussed in the literature review and providing an overview of the articles. Part II will involve thorough summary, presentation, and critique of the research articles included in the literature review.

Evidence Appraisal: Determining Applicability to Practice Assignment Students will perform a critical analysis of a research article to assess its value to you, your practice, and the nursing profession. You will be asked to appraise research from a scholarly perspective. All written work should reflect your original thoughts and comprehension. A detailed rubric will be provided to guide development and completion.

REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS/INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required learning resources include:

1. 1. Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2021). Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA Wolters Kluwer.
   2. Computer access and Internet connection. The ability to access and navigate the Learning Management System Blackboard ®. More information about Blackboard ® can be found at http://irt.austincc.edu/blackboard/StudentSupport.php

Recommended textbooks/instructional materials include:

1. American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Course Description

Scholarly exchange prepares the baccalaureate nurse to understand the language of research and the scientific process through evaluation of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed method research methodology as a foundation for evidence-based practice in the healthcare setting. This course will investigate research methods and findings and promote appraisal skills to support evidence-based, patient-centered care, quality improvement, and safety outcomes.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

1.      Integrate knowledge, skills, and abilities gained from personal experiential learning, pre-requisite and co-requisite courses in the program of study. DEC I.B.2.Clinical Judgements & Behaviors/AACNIII.1

2.     Address the role of research in providing evidence-based delivery of safe patient-centered care.    DECI.B.Clinical Judgements & Behaviors.5.e/AACN III.1

3.     Apply legal and ethical standards in evaluating and applying research to provide evidence-based practice. DEC I.B.2.Clinical Judgements & Behaviors.2/AACN III.2

4.     Compare and contrast quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods research methodologies, and the contributions of each to evidence-based nursing practice. DEC I.B.Clinical Judgements & Behaviors.5.e/AACN III.2

5.     Appraise research and evidence-based practices as a means to support patient outcomes. DECII.A.Clinical Judgements & Behaviors.4 &B.8/AACN III.6,9

6.     Analyze protocols to evaluate patient care indicators and outcomes of evidence-based initiatives to support patient outcomes. DEC II.A.1.a-c, DEC II.E.14/AACN III.6

7.     Analyze future implications for nursing research as a foundation for evidence-based practice to enhance nursing as a profession. DEC II.B.2/AACN III.5

*Following the course objectives are a series of parenthetical Roman numerals, letters, and numbers. These designations represent the Differentiated Essential Competencies (DECs) which identify those competencies graduates of Texas nursing programs should possess, based on level of education, to provide safe, competent, and compassionate care. Additional information about the DECs may be viewed on this site.