Literature review and critical appraisal skills

For module start dates, view the 2023-24 Module Calendar (.docx)

To scrutinise the knowledge that informs evidence based practice, health and social care professionals need to be critical thinkers who are research-literate.

This module provides you with an advanced understanding of research study design, how to assess the quality of research and discuss the robustness of conclusions reached. It combines theoretical and practical approaches to enable you to search for, obtain, and understand research literature and the critical skills to analyse and synthesise the material into a literature review.

The class usually contains a mix of students on different programmes, including health and social care professionals as well as research students, creating a vibrant learning environment in which students learn from the range of experience in the room.

This module fits well within our MSc Leadership in Health and Care pathway or MSc Medical and Clinical Education pathway. This module is a part of MSc Advanced Clinical Practice programme.

Learning outcomes

After the module you will:

• have an advanced understanding of the range of research methods that are in common use in your discipline
• be able to conduct and report a rigorous and advanced search for research literature
• critically appraise research papers and construct a literature review
• apply research findings, including literature reviews, within your working practice

Our expert staff

This module is taught by our expert staff, who have over six years’ experience of developing and delivering research teaching for CPD students in health and social care.

Our staff are aware of the lack of confidence that CPD students often feel in conjunction with research and as such try to create a relaxed learning environment in which the experience of students is valued and learning is made relevant to professional practice.

What our participants say

‘When I started this course I was apprehensive about research. Now that I have completed the module I feel confident and now read research results in a different way.'

‘I’ve enjoyed the topic and the group made it even more stimulating.’

Module Outline

The module uses lectures and computer lab sessions supported by self-study formative tasks that develop your own literature review project. Group discussion and activities feature strongly in the module teaching to support your learning through practical engagement with research. Further resources and guidance are available through Moodle.

The module covers the following themes:

• principles of research and research methods
• critical appraisal and reviewing research literature
• credibility, responsibility and ethics.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Assessment strategy

• 100% coursework
• 3,000 word literature review using a research question of your choice

Our CPD Funding page has more information on fees for our modules and potential funding sources.

We have guidance on making your application and the forms to download on our how to apply page.