The two articles you must critically appraise are:
Quantitative:
Rezola-Pardo, C., Rodriguez-Larrad, A., Gomez-Diaz, J., Lozano-Real, G., MugicaErrazquin, I., Patiño, M.J., Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I., Irazusta, J. and Gil, S.M., 2020.
Comparison between multicomponent exercise and walking interventions in long-term
nursing homes: a randomized controlled trial. The Gerontologist, 60(7), pp.1364-1373.
[Use the RCT Checklist CASP 2020]
Qualitative:
Kalateh Sadati, A., Zarei, L., Shahabi, S., Heydari, S.T., Taheri, V., Jiriaei, R.,
Ebrahimzade, N. and Lankarani, K.B., 2021. Nursing experiences of COVID‐19
outbreak in Iran: A qualitative study. Nursing Open, 8(1), pp.72-79.
[Use the Qualitative Checklist CASP 2018]
The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP UK 2018 & 2020) guidelines that
you must use are Randomised Controlled Trial Checklist and Qualitative Checklist.
(See Moodle for the web-links). There are additional prompt questions in the Core
textbook on pages 158 and 165.
For this assignment you must:
- Critically appraise the two given research articles using the appropriate CASP
guidelines. - Support your evaluation/discussion of each research study with reference to
appropriate theory (e.g. definitions and explanations using literature on
research terms, research methods and research methodology).
Please note that students using theory to support their writing will
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score higher.
Assignment checklist (for drafts and final submissions)
HAVE YOU…
Preparation for the assignment: Tick
- Fully read the ALL assignment guidelines (ask in class or
on Zoom if you do not understand.) - Fully read the 2 given papers in advance – looking up any words/terms
you do not understand - Accessed the Moodle site to see what additional resources are
available - Read the relevant CASP questions (and prompt questions in the core
text book page 158/165) so you know what questions you need to
answer. - Make sure you know how to access glossaries, e-books and databases
(suggest CINAHL) to find additional theory) See LSM pre session work
and library guides
https://www.brookes.ac.uk/library/subject – help/health – and – social –
work/health – and – social – work — how – to —– guides/ - Access the reading list and useful websites in the LSM (also on
Moodle so you can click on links) - Look at the grading/marking criteria in the LSM to see how marks will
be assigned - AVOID ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT/PLAGIARISM by not copying
from given papers or other sources, do not borrow or lend essays
to/from other students current or past as this will be found out using
TURNITIN - Ensure you know how to reference correctly in the essay and in your
reference list using Harvard Citing your references
https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/370e1de4 – 8ea3 – 18c5 – 0eb6 –
676d7efc9533/1/harvard.pdf
Essay presentation - • Word-processed in 11 point Arial font and double-line spaced
- All pages must be numbered.
- Margins must be as follows: Top: 1 inch, Bottom: 1 inch (2.5 cm),
Left: 1.25 inches, Right: 1.25 inches (3.2 cm). - State your total word count at the end of your essay before the
reference list (this does not include the reference list or the written
CASP questions). - Put introduction heading and each CASP question in bold.
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Number each question. - Add a space between each question and between the question and
answer. - Use UK English not American English (e.g. generalise not
generalize) - Add a space between each reference.
- It should not contain your name(s). Please state your student
number on each page as a footer. - Save the paper as instructed before submission using your
student numbers and check your student number is correct prior
to uploading.
Essay Structure/content
- I. Essay title.
II. Brief introduction to essay, discussing the importance of
evidence-based practice, research and critical appraisal; you
should reference/cite the appropriate Critical Appraisal Skills
Programme appraisal tools (CASP UK 2018 & 2020) and
perhaps the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct for
Nurses in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Nurses Council 2015)
(approximately 100 words).
III. Introduce and reference/cite your given papers – You should
then write approximately 1450 words on each research paper.
IV. Use all of the main CASP questions to structure your work.
You should write each of the CASP questions (not counted in
word count) and state ‘yes’ / ‘no’ / ‘can’t tell’ if indicated, then
explain your reasons.
V. You do not need a conclusion as the final questions are
conclusive.
VI. Have one reference list at the end of the essay (references
should be formatted according to the guide (alphabetically by
family name/organisation), not numbered. See:
https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/370e1de4 – 8ea3 – 18c5 –
0eb6 676d7efc9533/1/harvard.pdf This should include the 2
given papers and CASP UK (2018 & 2020).
Assignment instructions/content and knowledge/thinking and
analysis/conclusion - Given brief introduction and reference/cite the Critical Appraisal Skills
Programme (CASP UK 2020) - Reference your given papers
3 - Clearly use each main CASP question to structure assignment (they
are not counted in the word count, and you can copy them exactly).
You can use the sub-questions as a guide but do not need to write
them out - You should use the prompt questions in the core textbook to help you
(they are for a trial and qualitative paper only and may be slightly
different o the CASP questions) see pages p.158-160 & 165-167 - Answered yes, no, can’t tell for each question when indicated
- Reference given papers throughout assignment (family name(s)
date and “quote marks” date and page number if you directly quote
(copy)
Just put family names/date if you paraphrase (no page number). - Put abbreviations in full the first time you use them
- Use additional theory in most answers (from additional research
textbooks and articles). See the reading list in this LSM and use
databases - Define key terms using up to date theory from e-books, professional
articles or glossaries - Check theory you have used is from professional, nursing sources
that are up to date (unless seminal/key older sources). DO NOT
JUST USE GOOGLE - EVALUATE/made a judgement and give a reason/explanation for your
answers (rather than just describing what the given paper says) i.e.
say why it is important - Paraphrase as much as possible (to show your understanding). You
still need to reference/cite using family name/date (but no page
numbers or quote marks). - If you quote/copy any written or electronic sources directly you need to
use “quote marks” and put the family name(s) date and page numbers
e.g. (Sharp 2019 p.67). Check that you have NOT used the words of
other sources including the given papers without fully and accurately
referencing. - APPLY the theory and relate it to what is in the given papers and your
answer - Check that ALL the information you include is relevant to your answer
- Do not include a conclusion (as the final CASP questions can be used
to conclude key points about the research). - Put the word count at the end of the essay before the reference list
(maximum 3000 words) not including CASP questions or reference
list but including the references in the essay
4 - Add one reference list which should include all sources you have
used, the 2 given papers and CASP UK 2018 and 2020
It should which is formatted in Harvard in alphabetical order by family
name. See:
https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/370e1de4 – 8ea3 – 18c5 – 0eb6 –
676d7efc9533/1/harvard.pdf - Submission of drafts/final submission
- Check the submission guidelines and how to save/label your
assignment using correct student number and submitting to the
correct box (especially if you have 2 assignments or if it is for an
extension) - Proof read for spelling errors and spacing inconsistency
- Consider improving presentation (bold for headings and questions)
good spacing between questions etc. - For final submission check you have responded to ALL
feedback from your draft submission
You must not directly copy sections of text from the articles or any
other source without accurate citation/nor use previous student
essays – as this will be academic misconduct/ plagiarism.
Extra guidance will be provided on the assignment throughout the classroom sessions.
We will also leave you a discussion board (Padlet) to ask questions. Please make sure
that you ask questions and clarify any concerns that you have about the assignment –
no questions are too silly to ask. It is important that you attend all of the
classroom sessions and work through all activities, or you will miss out on
some important information and support.
Please refer to the marking criteria within this LSM. The module team will explain any
of the criteria that you are unfamiliar with.
Assignment length
The Maximum word limit for this assignment is 3,000 words, excluding your reference
list and the CASP (CASP UK 2018 & 2020) questions. It is important that you do not
exceed this.
The length of an assignment is limited by a set number of words to contribute towards
the development of writing skills and to ensure all work is assessed equitably. We
therefore require you to complete your assignments within the number of words
specified in the assignment brief.
You will need to think carefully about how best to explain your case within the permitted
number of words, using, for example, an appropriate mix of text, diagrams, and tables,
supplemented by any relevant information contained in appendices.
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Please also remember that a report can be enhanced or damaged through layout, for
example, placing all tables and drawings in appendices can hamper the flow of
discussion. Decisions therefore need to be made about the most appropriate place to
use tables etc., to support your case.
The specified word count refers to the main body of the report and does not include
front cover, title page, reference list or appendices. The word count does include in-text
citations, but not diagrams.
Appendices themselves will not be marked. However, inappropriate use of appendices
will be taken into consideration when awarding the final mark.
Words that exceed the maximum allowed will not be marked. If in doubt, you should
discuss this with the Module Leader before submission.
Submission date and instructions
Draft work
It is strongly recommended that you submit a full draft of your work for
feedback. Suggestions made on how to develop your work can facilitate the
development of your learning and your assignment.
You should:
Submit your draft electronically via Turnitin on VLE-Moodle by the date given in
Moodle.. Before submitting your draft through Turnitin, you should save your draft
as ONE single ‘Word’ document. Please title and save your work as ‘‘RD Draft
Your Student Number Your OBU Number’’, e.g. “RD Draft ISJ15099 12345678”.
Please refer to the “Handbook for Accessing the Brookes Network Service” given by
AIE for instructions.
Feedback will be provided within 10 working days of this deadline.
Final work
You must submit your final assignment no later than 7:00pm (HK time) on 3rd April 2024.
You must submit:
Your final assignment electronically via Turnitin on VLE-Moodle. Before
submitting your assignment through Turnitin, you should save your whole
assignment as ONE single ‘Word’ document. Please title and save your work
as ‘‘RD Your Student Number Your OBU Number’’, e.g. “RD ISS18099
12345678”. Please refer to the “Handbook for Accessing the Brookes Network
Service” given by AIE for instructions. As Moodle requires you to login using your
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student number and password, please ensure that your password is valid and if
you encounter any problems, please inform AIE at least one week before the
assignment deadline so that they can take appropriate action on your behalf.
Failure to submit the e-copy via Turnitin as required by the due date and time will
result in a 0% (fail) for the module.
Results for your final assignment will be available via Turnitin on VLE-Moodle.
Marking and moderation of your work
Moderation is a quality audit process that aims to ensure consistency and commitment
by assessors across the range of student work submitted for assessment. Internal
moderation is carried out by peer appraisal within a defined course/ programme team;
external moderation is provided by external examiners approved by the University.
Feedback
Feedback on your work will be provided in a range of ways at various times throughout
this module, and different feedback will serve slightly different purposes. Feedback is
designed to support your learning and help you to improve subsequent work, so you
need to get the most out of the feedback provided.
If you would like further information about feedback, or how to use it, please talk to your
tutor on this module or your programme lead. Refer to the “Handbook for Accessing the
Brookes Network Service” for instructions.
- It is important that you respond to all comments made on your draft as these
will help you develop your assignment. - If any of the comments are not clear then please first email AIE with your
questions, who will then forward these on to me
It is noticeable that students who do not attend, submit a draft, or address the
suggestions made on their draft are likely to achieve a lower mark or do not pass.