Critique and Evidence-Based Practice

The final assignment is a comprehensive piece that assesses students' understanding of evidence-based practice (EBP) and critical thinking skills. The assignment consists of four sections: Section 1, which requires students to provide an example of EBP in their chosen field; Section 2, where they will critique two research papers using the Harvard referencing style; Section 3, which asks them to discuss the importance of EBP in healthcare; and Section 4, which is a logical sequencing of the previous sections. Additionally, the assignment requires students to adhere to a word limit, use proper grammar and spelling, and provide accurate references.

Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Overview
Your assignment should encompass the following sections:
1. A contents page
2. An introduction - give a brief comment on the overall principles of research
evidence based practice and identify why research is relevant to your clincal practice.
 Discuss the different types of evidence and levels of evidence.
 Detail how the essay will be structured and an outline of the points to be
addressed.
3. The main body (sometimes called 'discussion') of the assignment should include two
critiques of the two articles you have retrieved for the module.
 The implementation of the evidence discussed in the articles and
identification of factors / agencies which may influence the implementation
of evidence into practice should also be discussed.
 Your main body should be developed using the marking criteria stated below.
4. A conclusion is a summary of the key points that you have raised within the essay
and demonstrates that you have explored the topic as set out in the introduction.
5. Appendices - if used
6. A reference list : there is a requirement for students to refer to literature other than
the three articles being appraised. Your topic articles should also be referenced in
your final reference list.
7. A bibliography if applicable but not essential
8. An electronic copy should be submitted to via the Drop box in Moodle by the
submission date
9. Citation Method: References must be cited using the accepted format. For guidance
please locate the following
link: http://www2.napier.ac.uk/gus/managing_information/referencing.html#citation
What do I do Next?
Use this Unit to help plan your assignment. As you develop your assignment keep referring back to
this Unit as it will give you clear guidance about what is expected from you.
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Section 1: PREBP

Examine the Relationship between the Research Process and Development of Evidence for Practice
(This aspect of the Assignment is worth 35% of the total mark)
You should consider the content of your essay using the following headings as guidance - but note
that you do not need to use the headings in your final paper. 'a . Discusses different types of evidence,
levels of evidence and importance of evidence for practice.'
This part should identify the various ‘sources of evidence’ that may be used to inform practice and
what is generally considered to be ‘best’ evidence. When writing this part of the assignment try to
ensure that you acknowledge why evidence is important for clinical practice and try to indicate how
good quality evidence can be generated.
'b. Demonstrates awareness of research process'
You should acknowledge the systematic approach which characterizes research.
'c. Discusses dissemination (i.e. organizations and agencies responsible for dissemination) and
barriers to implementation of evidence.'
In this section you should identify some of the mechanisms, regulations, policies and/ or behaviours
that encourage or cause barriers to the implementation of evidence. You will need to refer to national
agencies and/ or organisations that facilitate the implementation of good evidence into practice as well
as local strategies. Organisational, cultural and / or attitudinal behaviours which enhance or impede
the implementation of EBP should also be acknowledged.
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Section 1: PREBP
Marking Criteria
The table below shows how marks are allocated for this assignment - please bear this in mind when
you are structuring your essay
Research & Evidence Based Practice (35%)
Examine the Relationship between the Research Process and Development of Evidence for Practice
Discusses different types of evidence, levels of evidence and importance of evidence for practice.
Demonstrates awareness of research process.
Discusses dissemination (i.e. organisations and agencies responsible for dissemination) and barriers to
implementation of evidence.
Current literature is used to support discussion related to the topic

Research Critiques (50%)
Appraise Different Types of Evidence and Evaluate it’s Appropriateness for Implementation in Practice
Provides a critique of two articles correctly identifying the type of evidence.
Evaluation of each paper with a focus on its methodology including research design, data collection tools,
sampling methods and approach to analysis.
Current literature is used to support discussion related to the topic
Referencing & Presentation (10%)
Assignment presented in accordance with University Guidelines
Reference to appropriate literature to support assignment
Logical, sequencing of assignment
Accurate Grammar and Spelling
Accurate referencing (Harvard system)
Adheres to word limit. N.B. More than 10% over will incur a penalty of 10% of the awarded mark being deducted.
This increases as the amount word count increases (see Programme Handbook for full details)
Evidence of online participation (5%)
Provides evidence of three contributions to online discussion activities
Students should demonstrate that they have engaged appropriately with the learning unit and the discussion topic
Current literature is used to support discussion related to the topic
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Section 2: Critiques
Appraise Different Types of Evidence and Evaluate it’s Appropriateness for Implementation in
Practice (This aspect is worth 50% of the total mark)
a. Provides a critique of two articles correctly identifying the type of evidence.
The two articles that you have to focus upon within this assignment are those which you have been
given. The articles can be retrieved in Unit 2 in Moodle. For each article you must correctly identify
the type of research / evidence which has been presented.

b. Evaluation of each paper with a focus on its methodology including research design, data
collection tools, sampling methods and approach to analysis.
Whilst discussing the article you should include the following:
 Is the design chosen (e.g. Randomised Controlled Trial) the most appropriate or
would an alternative design be more appropriate for the study? Are there
any limitations in the chosen design (e.g. lack of control group)?
 Is the methodology for data collection appropriate? Is the material for data collection
(e.g. questionnaires, interview schedules) appropriate for the study?
 Is the sample appropriate (e.g. demographics, number of participants, type of
sampling), given the nature of the study?
 Are the methods of the research appropriate to the nature of the question being
asked? Is the choice of the employed instrument (e.g. interview schedule) justified?
 Was the data collection and record keeping systematic?
 Are the themes, concepts and categories derived from the data adequately
interpreted?
 Is a clear distinction made between the data and their interpretation?
N.B. You are expected to support your critique with references to research text. You may find it
helpful to use the critique framework, and have a look at the example critique, to help you conduct
your critique and use what you have to provide the basis of your essay. Please do not present the
framework as this intended as a preparatory tool. Your critique should be presented in essay format.
You should include a brief section drawing conclusions from sections 1 and 2.
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Section 3: Evidence of online participation
Provides evidence of three contributions to online discussion activities. (This is worth 5% of your
final mark.)
 As guidance, we would expect each contribution to be at least 2 sentences.
 they must be referenced using appropriate academic references
 they need to be in your own words
 Simply agreeing/disagreeing with a previous posting will not be sufficient. Students must
demonstrate that they have engaged appropriately with the learning unit and the
discussion topic, and provided references if this is appropriate.
 Please note that activities such as introducing yourself to group members are not counted as
evidence of engagement with the subject matter

 posting must be completed by the deadline dates for each activity.Postings are after this date
will NOT be counted in the mark.
 You should copy the three contributions from Moodle and paste them at the back of
your paper prior to submission. This can be either as an image (eg jpeg), or the text itself.
In the case of where a topic has been discussed with more than one person, we would suggest
that you copy the whole conversation to provide context to your comments.
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Section 4: Correct Referencing and Presentation
Referencing & Presentation in adherence with University Guidelines (Worth 10% of the final
mark)
 Throughout your assignment references must be cited using the accepted format. For guidance on
Harvard please follow this link.
 Your assignment should read coherently, be proof-read and be grammatically accurate.
 Your assignment should be presented in a plastic folder, with the School front cover on it and
include a plagiarism declaration.
a. Assignment must be presented in accordance with University Guidelines
Your assignment should be presented in Arial, Size 12 font and double-line spaced. It should have
the accepted front cover correctly completed, a signed plagiarism declaration sheet, contents page and
each page should be numbered.
b. References to appropriate literature to support assignment
The references used should demonstrate that you have undertaken wider reading to support your
learning. They should come from a variety of sources such as journal articles, text books and
reliable internet sources.
c. The Assignment should be logical in sequencing and presented as an academic piece of work
The assignment should be presented as an academic piece of work (i.e. have a brief introduction, main
body -including the EBP and critique sections- and a brief conclusion). Each section should have a
logical flow to it. You should use 'third person' wherever possible.
d. Accurate Grammar & Spelling
Remember to use spell check before you submit and consider getting someone to 'proof-read' it for
you! If you need help with this see the Edinburgh Napier Grammar Guide
e. Accurate referencing (
All sources, including the two articles you are critiquing must be correctly cited in alphabetical order
in your reference list using the APA6 system. N.B. The reference list is not counted in the word count
but citations within the essay are.
f. Adheres to word limit.

N.B. More than 10% over will incur a penalty (ie over 3300 words - excluding appendices and
references). If you exceed the word limit by more than 10% you will be penalised on a sliding scale,
from 10% to 100% reduction in marks
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Section 5: Completing your assignment
The documents that appear below this book will help you to complete your assignment, and allow you
to identify what your marker is looking for to award you the best mark.
 There is an example annotated critique to help you understand further what is expected of
you in section 2 of the final assignment - you will find this in Unit 5, which will be released
later. There are comments made by a marker to help you understand why this is a good
example of a critique. You will see that it is not simply a description of what was
undertaken in the research paper, but rather a critical review of HOW it was done -
discussing the methods used, sampling criteria, ethical issues, what the results show and so
on. In other words, the critique attempts to discuss whether the research paper is good
research or less good. This is what we want you to do with your own two critiques.
 Next is the standard feedback sheet (Word document) that your marker will return to you
once your assignment is marked. It has all the criteria that you will be marked on in it, so you
will be able to gauge whether you have covered everything you need to before you hand it in.
 The standard front cover for the assignment is required for all submissions. Please copy and
paste this onto the front page of your essay and fill in the details.
 This should be followed on the next page by the document called the plagiarism declaration.
Please again copy and paste this, and fill in the details. (A written signature is NOT required).
Everything you need to know about the Final Assignment
Before you submit...
Before you hand in your assignment
1. Make sure your word count is accurate and below the limit
2. Check out the Standard Feedback Sheet - and ask yourself - have I covered all the topics
I will be marked on? If not, you need to review your submission.
3. Fill in the standard cover sheet, and copy and paste this at the front of your essay
4. Fill in the plagiarism declaration and do the same as above