FARB1060 Evidence-Baced Practice (EBP) in Health Care Course description

This joint course is developed for all the Bachelor programmes at the Faculty of Health Sciences which are part of RETHOS (National guidelines for the Health and Social Studies), and is considered as an introductory course, preferably taken during the first part of the study programme.

In this course, starting with relatable examples, students will learn about the rationale for evidence-based practice (EBP) and its Core Competencies: Ask, Acquire, Appraise and Interpret, Apply, and Evaluate. Areas of focus are critical thinking (e.g. asking critical questions about health claims and the sources of claims), and shared decision-making. The course provides a foundation for learning and applying more advanced and field-specific skills.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

On successful completion of the course, the student has acquired the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can define what EBP is and recognizes the rationale for EBP and shared decision making
• knows the steps of EBP
• is familiar with the levels in the S-pyramid and acknowledges the difference between single studies and systematic reviews
• knows the characteristics of a scientific article, e.g. IMRAD
• can explain the purpose and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative studies and syntheses of studies, e.g. systematic reviews
• understands the principles for critical appraisal and knows how to use check lists for different study designs, clinical guidelines and professional procedures
• knows different types of categorical and continuous measures of association and effect, and key graphical presentations

Skills

The student

• can identify different types of professional/clinical questions, such as questions about treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, experiences and etiology
• can, for each type of clinical question, identify the preferred order of study designs
• can formulate searchable professional/clinical questions using e.g. PICO
• and variations of PICO
• can construct and carry out an appropriate and simple search strategy for professional/clinical questions from the top of the S-pyramid

General competencies

The student

• can critically assess health claims in the media

The sociology of literature is mainly concerned with two aspects of literature and society: One the one hand, the historical, material and cultural conditions of literature, and the significance of these conditions for how literature is produced, disseminated, read and evaluated. On the other hand, sociology of literature also explores how social structures appear in literature. Important topics in the course are dynamics in the literary public sphere and in reading habits, changes in the book market, quality assessment and canon formation, as well as literature and library policy. The course also discusses theories, models and methods used in literary sociological analyzes and research.

The language of the course is Norwegian.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence

Knowledge

The student

• has a broad historical understanding of the sociology of literature
• insight in the theories and methods used to research the sociology of literature
• knowledge of the main constituents of the literary public sphere, and of Norwegian cultural and library politics
• knowledge of different institutions and reader groups' perspectives on the assessment of literary quality

Skills

The student

• can assume an analytical perspective on the rapidly changing book- and media market
• can conduct qualitative and quantitative studies on topics concerning sociology of literature
• can write literary critique
• can assess the quality of fictional and non-fictional texts, as well as their relevance to different groups of readers

General competence

Candidates are able to

• write articles and reviews
• assume an analytical perspective on quality discussions

The course is organised as a series of three sessions over three days. The teaching methods are seminars, lectures, group work and student presentations. Students will work individually with assignments of their own choice within the genres opinion pieces, articles and literary criticism.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

1. An article (approx. 20,000 characters without spaces)
2. A longer debate post or newspaper article (approx. 4,000 characters without spaces)
3. A literature review (approx. 3,000 characters without spaces).
4. One of the course assessments (the student chooses which one) is to be presented and discussed at the last meeting. Attendance is mandatory at this gathering.

All written coursework must be written in Arial / Calibri 12 point line spacing 1.5. In addition, all the work must have a short note outlining the intended publication channel and target group.

All submitted courseworks receive feedback.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version twice by the given deadline.

The form of assessment is an individual portfolio, consisting of the three written work requirements as described above, in further developed versions. An overall grade is given.

Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

In case of fail, all parts of the portfolio must be handed in again. Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the portfolio for assessment

Grade scale A-F