A 3000 word assignment critiquing and evaluating one paramedic literature paper from a choice of 5

What is the assignment
• A 3000 word assignment critiquing and evaluating one paramedic literature paper from a choice of 5
• Rationale to provide an opportunity to assess the student’s ability to critically evaluate the principles and relevant theory of Evidenced Based Paramedic Practice.

What is the assignment?
• A 3000 word assignment critiquing and evaluating one paramedic literature paper from a choice of 5
• Rationale to provide an opportunity to assess the student’s ability to critically evaluate the principles and relevant theory of Evidenced Based Paramedic Practice

INTRODUCTION
• Approximately 300 – 500 words
• Introduce a research article that is applicable or potentially applicable to paramedic practice.
• Outline the relevance of the article to your present or future practice.
• Explain why the topic being addressed in the article is important to present and future practice.

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE
• Approximately 300 words
• Briefly describe EBP and the part played by research in EBP
• Explain why EBP is important to patient/client care as well as your profession and professional identity.

MAIN BODY
• Approximately 1800 – 2000 words
• Identify the research framework or tool that you will be using to critique the article and explain why you are using a tool. (CASP or Hek and Moule 2006)
• Explain why you have chosen that tool.
• Use the framework or tool to help you identify strengths and weaknesses in the research article –i.e. what makes it a good or bad example of that type of research.
• Outline, analyse and evaluate the main identified strengths and weaknesses of the research article ensuring you support this with relevant literature.

ETHICS
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical principles in relation to the research article.

COULD THIS PIECE OF RESEARCH INFLUENCE YOUR PRACTICE
• What are the most significant factors that would enable this piece of evidence to be used in (or inform) your actual practice?
• What are the most significant factors that would prevent this piece of research from being used in (or informing) your practice.

CONCLUSION
• Approximately 300 words
• Summarise the key points and make a judgement about the value of the article.
• Evaluate the usefulness of the findings in relation to your practice present and future practice.
• The function of the essay’s Conclusion is to restate the main argument. It reminds the reader of the strengths of the argument: that is, it reiterates the most important evidence supporting the argument. Make sure, however, that your conclusion is not simply a repetitive summary as this reduces the impact of the argument you have developed in your essay.
•  What is the significance of your findings?  What are the implications of your conclusions for this topic and for the broader field?  Are their any limitations to your approach?  Are there any other factors of relevance that impact upon the topic but fell outside the scope of the essay?  Are their any suggestions you can make in terms of future research?
• The conclusion should match the introduction in terms of the ideas presented and the argument put forward. Sometimes you will find that the process of writing has changed what you have argued and so it will be necessary to go back and reword the introduction. Finally, the conclusion is not the place in your essay to introduce new information or new ideas: these should be in the body of your essay.
GENERAL POINTS

• Throughout the essay you must
• Demonstrate an understanding of research terminology.
• Demonstrate wide reading and familiarity with other research papers.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical principles.
• Use only academically acceptable literature for supporting evidence e.g Wikepedia and Patient.co.uk are not academically acceptable literature sites.
• Keep ‘direct quotes’ to a minimum.
• The conclusion should not include any new references.
• Consider an appendix for charts and large portions of supporting evidence.

MARKING CRITERIA
Knowledge and understanding – 20% Knowledge base, 5% Ethical Issues.
Intellectual Skills – 25% Analysis, 10% Synthesis, 25% Evaluation and Application.
Transferable Skills – 10% Communication, 5% Management of Information.

READING STRATEGY

Essential reading
There will be a small number of set texts which the students are expected to obtain, which are listed in bold below.  Other essential reading will provided electronically or as printed study packs.
Further reading
Further reading is not essential for this module, but students will be encouraged to explore other titles held in the library on this topic.  The module handbook may include some suggested titles.  This will be revised annually

Publications (Key indicative sources in bold type)
Aveyard, H., Sharp, P. (2009) A Beginner’s Guide to Evidence Based Practice.  McGraw Hill. New York
Goldacre, B. (2009) Bad Science.  Harper Collins. London
Greenhalgh T.  How to Read a Paper. Blackwell. London
Griffiths P,  Mooney G. P. (2012) The Paramedics Guide to Research – An Introductions. Glasgow. Bell and Bain Ltd.
Moule P & Hek G. (2011) Making Sense of Research: An Introduction for Health & Social Care Practitioners. Sage. London
Robson C. Real World Research. Blackwell. London
Web Sites
http://www.cochrane.org/
http://www.collegeodparamedics.co.uk/
Cochrane health care research
College of Paramedics   http://www.hpc-uk.org/ Health Professions Council
http://www.library.nhs.uk/emergency/
http://www.nice.org.uk/
http://www.pharmaware.co.uk/index.html
http://srmo.sagepub.com/
National Library for Health Emergency Care
National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence
PharmAware.  Non-profit organisation which scrutinises pharmaceutical company interaction with healthcare
Sage research methods online
www.prodigy.nhs.uk

Home

Evidence based treatments site
Critical Appraisal Skills Programme helps people to find and interpret the best available evidence from health research