This module will focus on promoting the skills of the professional philanthropist to become an effective user of research findings with a view to the enhancement of quality philanthropic service outcomes.
Sessions will focus on the analysis of literature in order to inform evidence based practice. This will include understanding critical appraisal tools and statistical principles used to analyse data. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills to evaluate the quality and integrity of data, assessing the appropriateness, validity and range of data. The module will include forums which are designed to promote dialogue regarding the extent of external evidence available from systematic research and how this can be applied to improve philanthropic outcomes within the participant's area of professional practice.
The module will include:
• Critical understanding of the principles related to evidence informed practice
• Data and information searching principles and techniques
• Critical appraisal principles
• Critical appraisal tools and techniques
• Statistical principles to present analysis
• Critical Appraisal Report Writing
Hours of study: 200 hours
Contact time:
This module will have one study day (7 hours); 8 online forums (16 hours); 10 online lectures/videos (15 hours); 6 podcasts or audio recordings (3 hours) and; tutor telephone and email mentor sessions and personal support (2 hours); Total 43 hours.
Private study:
157 hours of private study including reading materials, research and assignment preparation time.
This module is taught in Spring and contributes to MA in Philanthropic Studies.
Forms part of the MA in Philanthropic Studies
This module will be assessed by a 4,000 word coursework essay (80%) and an online forum participation mark (20%). Students will be required to pass both elements individually.
Participants are required to produce a report of 4000 words in which they will formulate a question pertinent to their philanthropic practice, detail the search strategy undertaken, critically review the best available evidence identified and reflect upon the implications of the findings for their own practice.
Students will also be required to actively participate in forum discussions, the marks for which will comprise 20% of the final mark. To obtain these marks students will be required to make a minimum of three contributions to the assessed forum. Each contribution must be at least 150 words in length, include academic references and a discussion of the relevant materials identified within the module. The forum content will be moderated by the module convener.
• Aveyard, H. (2010). Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care, a practical guide. 2nd Edition. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.
• Aveyard, H. and Sharp, P. (2009). A Beginner's Guide To Evidence Based Practice in Health and Social Care. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill.
• Dawes, M. (2004). Evidence-Based Practice: A Primer for Health Care Professionals.
2nd Edition. UK: Elsevier Health Sciences.
• Davies, H., Nutley, S. and Smith, P. (2000). What Works? Evidence-based Policy and Practice in Public Services. Bristol: Policy Press.
• Greenhalgh, T. (2010). How to read a paper: The basics of evidence based medicine. 4th ed. London: BMJ Publishing Group.
• Hamer, S. and Collinson, G. (2005). Achieving Evidence-Based Practice: A Handbook for Practitioners. 2nd Edition. London: Bailliere Tindall.
• Machi, L. and McEvoy, B. (2009). The Literature Review; Six Steps to Success. USA: Corwin Press.
• Trinder, L. Reynolds, S. (2000). Evidence-based practice: a critical appraisal. London: Blackwell Publishing.
See the library reading list for this module (Medway)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1.Critically analyse the role of evidence based practice in the wider organisational context and the possible constraints to philanthropic practices.
2. Formulate a focused question pertinent to work-based practice; a prelude to building an effective search strategy for related evidence.
3. Design and implement an informed search strategy to identify the best available evidence, utilising a range of database tools and techniques.
4. Critically appraise and evaluate literature using recognised appropriate appraisal tools to assess validity and relevance of evidence.
5. Critically evaluate and apply understanding of the process of data management of evidence sources in terms of the evaluation of data quality, statistical principles, integrity and bias when selecting literature and evidence in practice.
6. Critically reflect on their own professional practice and the process of evidence-basing that practice.
N/a
University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that module information is accurate for the relevant academic session and to provide educational services as described. However, courses, services and other matters may be subject to change. Please read our full disclaimer.
