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Nursing (NURS) 328
Understanding Research (Revision 5)

Revision 5 closed, replaced by current version.

View previous syllabus.

Delivery mode: Individualized study online.
Note: Follow directions on the Undergraduate Course Registration form and select “Online” when asked for delivery mode. Online course materials cannot be accessed before your course contract start date.

Credits: 3 - Applied Studies

Pre/co-requisite: MATH 215 or MATH 216 or an equivalent introductory statistics course.

Precluded course: NURS 328 cannot be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for NURS 425.

Centre: Centre for Nursing and Health Studies

NURS 328 has a Challenge for Credit option; this option is not available to post-LPN BN Students.

Overview

Nursing 328: Understanding Research introduces students to the research process and to the methods and analytical tools they require to critically evaluate research reports. The course provides students with an overview of qualitative and quantitative approaches to research.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of NURS 328, the student will achieve or exceed the following course outcomes:

  • Explain the importance of research to evidence-based professional practice.
  • Describe ethical considerations in research.
  • Describe quantitative and qualitative approaches to research.
  • Critically appraise research reports.

Course Structure

Unit 1: The Value of Research and Evidenced-based Practice

Unit 2: Qualitative and Quantitative Research: Two Alternative Paradigms

Unit 3: Research Ethics

Unit 4: Research Problems, Questions, and Hypotheses

Unit 5: The Literature Review

Unit 6: The Theoretical Frame

Unit 7: Quantitative Research Design

Unit 8: Qualitative Research Design

Unit 9: Sampling in Research

Unit 10: Scrutinizing Data Collection Methods

Unit 11: Evaluating Measurements and Data Quality

Unit 12: Analyzing Quantitative Data

Unit 13: Analysis of Qualitative Data

Unit 14: Critiquing Research Reports

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Evaluation

To receive credit for NURS 328, students must complete and submit all of the required assignments and achieve a composite grade of at least “C-” (60%). Effective January 1, 2010, all papers submitted must follow the guidelines of the APA Publication Manual (6th ed.) (2010).

The assignments and weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Facilitating Evidence Based Practice
15%
Making Research Real and Relevant
25%
Critique of a Research Report
30%
Final Examination
30%
Total 100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.

Course Materials

Textbook

Loiselle, C., Profetto-McGrath, J., Polit, D., & Beck, C. (2007). Canadian essentials of nursing research. (2nd ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Materials

Students will receive an Access Letter in the course package with instructions for gaining access to this online course. A variety of electronic journal articles and websites are used in the course and paper copies are not included in the course package.

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