This is the dissertation Details

The research is about: the effectiveness of silver dressing in the treatment of chronic wound.

Criteria

Overview of the research process

General principles of the research process Concepts, terminologies, and common definitions Utilisation and feasibility of research in practice Notion of knowledge, facts, truth and beliefs Pure and applied research in social care, social work, nursing and midwifery

Research Methods Overview of qualitative and quantitative approaches Formulating research question and hypothesis Literature search, review, and critique, uses of secondary evidence/data Collecting, analysing and interpreting data Types, methods and purpose of sampling Notion of trustworthiness, creditability, validity and reliability in research process Study skill use of library, accessing database, effective use of ICT to access information.

Professional and ethical issues Ethical principles in the context nursing and midwifery Data Protection Act and its significance to research protocol Informed consent, confidentiality and privacy in research process

Beneficence and non-maleficence in the pursuit of New Knowledge, implementing research in practice.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES OF SESSIONS Session: Seeking evidence from the literature and critical review of the literature Aim: To enable students to develop a coherent and systematic approach in the planning and organisation of a literature review.

Objectives: To produce a clear, coherent and a well-argued case for the review. To critically analyse the literature in order to draw out key themes relevant to practice. To articulate and justify the changes deemed necessary in order to enhance practice.

Session: Overview of methodological approaches Aims: To review the main research methodologies and their relevance to research approaches.

Objectives: To discuss the main qualitative and quantitative approaches in research To evaluate the use of qualitative and quantitative approach To evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of mixing Methodologies

Session: Collecting & analysing quantitative data.

Aim: To enable students to develop a critical appreciation of the nature of quantitative research.

Objectives: Define quantitative research.

critically evaluate the underpinning intellectual and philosophical explanations for quantitative research. Evaluate the range of research designs within quantitative domain. critically appraise the data collection strategies in quantitative research Explain the concept of content analysis. 11

Discuss the implications of reducing data to themes/categories. Clarify the issues of interpreting data. Debate principles to ensure findings are credible and trustworthy.

Session: Collecting & analysing qualitative data Aim: To evaluate the contribution of qualitative research for clinical practice.

Objectives: Explain the terminology of qualitative research. Discuss the assumptions that underpin the paradigm of discovery. Identify the distinguishing features of a qualitative research design. critically appraise qualitative research reports. Distinguish between differing processes of data collection. Explain the implications of participant observation and interview.

 Evaluate data collection strategies published in research reports.

Session: Research ethics. Aim: Review the ethical principles in the context of research process. Objectives: Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the data protection Act and its significance to research protocol. Debate the issues surrounding informed consent, confidentiality and privacy in research process. Demonstrate an analytical understanding of the concepts of beneficence and non-maleficence in the pursuit of New Knowledge. Clarify the issues of gaining ethical approval and access to a research setting.

The following chapters should be included:

Chapter 1. Introduction This section should outline the rationale, aims and objectives of the review. Background information to the topic reviewed should be provided. The topic/question should be clearly introduced and set within the theoretical / philosophical context of your area of study. For example, how does it relate to the degree studies you are undertaking? Why is it necessary to undertake the review? Key writers in the field must be included to provide a contextual background for your review The aims and objectives for your review should be clearly stated. Parameters set for the literature search should be explained (e.g. time limits relating to the year of publication of the papers reviewed, and language limitations relating to the search, databases searched, key words used and hits achieved). N.B Allocate approximately 200 words to the parameter section of this chapter Key search terms used (and where relevant MESH terms), including combinations should be identified; the databases searched, and number of hits achieved should be provided. The criteria for including studies selected for the review should also be identified. (This can be tabulated and placed within the appendices if required). (Chapter 1 - approximately 1000 words)

Chapter 2. Critical Review of the Literature This chapter should be organised according to the themes. Such themes should emerge from the primary research gathered for your review and should be discussed individually. In order to make this manageable it is likely that you will have a minimum of two and a maximum of 3 themes or trends; where more themes emerged you will discuss this in your introduction and give a rationale for why youve chosen the themes selected for discussion. When discussing your themes you will necessarily make reference to the studies you selected for inclusion in your review. However you should also draw on wider literature to determine whether the same themes/trends are apparent this helps you to demonstrate that you are able to synthesise and apply your knowledge. Relevant research based evidence should be described and critically discussed. The quality of the discussion is particularly important. You should attempt a critical analysis, which is both coherent and balanced. 16

You are required to demonstrate a thorough and systematic understanding of research processes by clearly identifying strengths and weaknesses of methodologies/approaches used by authors whose work have been reviewed. The chapter should end with a summary (Chapter 2. approximately 4000 words).

Chapter 3. Conclusion Your conclusion should begin by summarising the key issues that led to the review and the themes that arose. Based on your discussion in chapter two, you should now be able to draw some overall conclusions within the context of your professional practice. Implications and recommendations for future practice should also be identified. The limitation of the review needs to be acknowledged. (Chapter 3. approximately 1000 words).