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 refernce 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 2. Section 1: PREBP 3. 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) 4. 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.' 5. 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. 6. 'b. Demonstrates awareness of research process' 7. You should acknowledge the systematic approach which characterizes research. 8. 'c. Discusses dissemination (i.e. organizations and agencies responsible for dissemination) and barriers to implementation of evidence.' 9. 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 a.

1. 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 refernce
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/refer
encing.html#citation
2. Section 1: PREBP

2. 3. 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)
4. 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.'
5. 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.
6. 'b. Demonstrates awareness of research process'
7. You should acknowledge the systematic approach which
characterizes research.
8. 'c. Discusses dissemination (i.e. organizations and agencies
responsible for dissemination) and barriers to implementation of
evidence.'
9. 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.
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%)

3. 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

4. Current literature is used to support discussion related to the
topic
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:
1. 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)?
2. Is the methodology for data collection appropriate? Is the
material for data collection (e.g. questionnaires, interview
schedules) appropriate for the study?
3. Is the sample appropriate (e.g. demographics, number of
participants, type of sampling), given the nature of the study?
4. 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?
5. Was the data collection and record keeping systematic?
6. Are the themes, concepts and categories derived from the
data adequately interpreted?
7. Is a clear distinction made between the data and their
interpretation?

5. 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.
Section 3: Evidence of online participation
Provides evidence of three contributions to online discussion
activities. (This is worth 5% of your final mark.)
10. As guidance, we would expect each contribution to be at
least 2 sentences.
11. 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.
12. Please note that activities such as introducing yourself to
group members are not counted as evidence of engagement with
the subject matter
13. In order to allow discussion with fellow students, the
examples of your participation should be posted prior to the 1st
of December 2014. If the postings are after this date they may
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.
Section 4: Correct Referencing and Presentation
Referencing & Presentation in adherence with University
Guidelines (Worth 10% of the final mark)
14. Throughout your assignment references must be cited using

6. the accepted format. For guidance on Harvard please follow this
link.
15. Your assignment should read coherently, be proof-read and
be grammatically accurate.
16. 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 (Harvard system)
All sources, including the two articles you are critiquing must
be correctly cited in alphabetical order in your reference list
using the Harvard 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

7. 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
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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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).