Course unit details:
Independent studies
| Unit code |
NURS60360 |
| Credit rating |
15 |
| Unit level |
FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) |
Variable teaching patterns |
| Offered by |
Nursing & Midwifery |
| Available as a free choice unit? |
No |
Overview
The course unit offers flexibility in both the choice of topic pertinent to the area of practice and flexibility in
relation to mode of study, at level 7. A personal teacher, with the relevant subject background and
expertise is allocated to the student and will provide guidance and support and will also comment on
formative work.
Aims
The course unit aims to provide the student with the opportunity to select an area of practice, a
patient/client group or an issue or topic of interest to them individually and one which might be of value to
them in their area of work. Having chosen the topic under the guidance of a personal teacher, a
systematic review of the evidence based literature is undertaken by the student working independently.
Teaching and learning methods
The expectation is that the student will undertake independent study under the supervision of a
designated member of the teaching staff.
An initial 2 hour group tutorial introduces the students to the requirement of the course unit. One to one
contact with the personal teacher is then arrange either in person or online. Blackboard is used to
support formative work and provide resources to support the unit.
Knowledge and understanding
- Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and a critical awareness of the current problems and issues involved in the relation to the chosen topic for independent study.
- Continue to advance their knowledge by building on their existing knowledge and experience to develop an area to a higher level.
Intellectual skills
- Evaluate critically the current evidence base for the chosen topic and propose new ways in which this evidence based might be used to advance practice in the chosen area.
- In conducting the review of the evidence, demonstrate the ability to evaluate critically methodologies which have been used to generate the existing body of evidence and propose new hypothesis where appropriate.
- Demonstrate self-direction and problem solving in meeting the independent study requirements.
- Demonstrate initiative through the development of a strategy for planning and implementing a change in practice based on their review of the current evidence base for the chosen topic.
Transferable skills and personal qualities
- Exercise initiative in selecting an aspect of their own area of practice which is worthy of review.
- Develop and utilise independent learning throughout the course unit.
Assessment methods
| Method |
Weight |
| Written assignment (inc essay) |
100% |
Feedback methods
Students will normally have the opportunity to receive feedback on formative work submitted prior to the summative assessment. Other feedback opportunities will also be available in class and online discussion boards. Online feedback is provided in Grademark. Provisional feedback based on internal marking will be made available prior to the Exam Board on the basis that these marks are yet to be ratified at the Exam Board and therefore may be subject to change. A standard feedback mechanism in Grademark is utilised across all postgraduate programmes within the School which provides detailed and constructive feedback on each component and aspect of assessment and identifies areas of strength and those aspects which could be enhanced.
Student feedback is obtained through open discussion forums on blackboard, in class discussions, via formal University unit evaluation forms and also qualitative, in house evaluations at the end of the unit.
Recommended reading
http://www.readinglists.manchester.ac.uk/modules/nurs60360.html
Study hours
| Scheduled activity hours |
| Lectures |
2 |
| Tutorials |
4 |
| Independent study hours |
| Independent study |
144 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member |
Role |
| Janet Fielding |
Unit coordinator |
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