Unit of Study HLTH2006 Research for Practice 2: Evidence-Informed Practice (2027)

Unit description

This unit builds on foundational research literacy to develop more in-depth research skills required to support evidence-informed decision-making in the health sciences, nursing, and social sciences and community welfare disciplines. Students will learn how to formulate clear practice-based questions, apply advanced search strategies to locate relevant research evidence, and critically appraise the quality and applicability of that evidence. Emphasis is placed on integrating research findings into professional contexts to improve standards of care, service delivery, and client outcomes. By the end of the unit, students will be able to create evidence-informed recommendations and apply them to real-world practice scenarios, preparing them for professional roles that demand critical thinking and lifelong learning.

Unit content

1. Introduction to evidence-informed practice
2. Formulating clinical and practice-based questions (Ask) and searching for evidence (Acquire)
3. Critical appraisal of evidence (Appraise) 1: Quality of studies
4. Critical appraisal of evidence (Appraise) 2: Interpretation & relevance of findings
5. Applying evidence to practice (Apply)
6. Evaluating outcomes and reflecting on practice (Assess)