KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Knowing the basics of nursing research methodology.
Defining the meaning of scientific research in nursing/health care.
Knowing the different research designs and the hierarchy of sources (“pyramid of evidence”).
Knowing the meaning of “evidence-based nursing” (EBN)
Understanding the strengths and limitations of the EBN philosophy, as well as similar ones related to the medical field
Knowing what are the alternative working methodologies to the EBN
Knowing what the guidelines are and what the production methods are

ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
Knowing how to consult information sources to select the best products of primary and secondary literature and guidelines on a given professional dress.
Reading, evaluating and ranking according to the hierarchy of sources the relevant literature to make decisions and answer the research problem
Knowing how to identify the phases of the research process in the articles read and more precisely: the research topic and problem, the literature review, the research question or hypothesis and/or objectives, the research design, the sample and the tools used to collect the data, the results obtained and the implications for professional practice.

AUTONOMY OF JUDGMENT
Distinguishing research articles and research reports of quantitative studies from those using a qualitative or mixed approach;
Knowing how to judge the methodological quality, the degree of updating, the reliability and applicability of literature sources in clinical practice.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Knowing and use a correct and appropriate technical-professional terminology to describe the biases and the qualitative levels of the literature sources.

LEARNING ABILITY
Preparing the exam by analyzing the contents and evaluating the applicability of a scientific article based on what was learned in class and on the sources suggested for further study.

None

The quantitative, qualitative and mixed approach in nursing research.
Primary and secondary literature search designs.
Evidence-Based Nursing (or Medicine)” (EBN, EBM).
Definition and methods of production of the guideline
Qualitative assessment of literature sources and criteria of applicability in practice

Suggested texts (purchasing NOT mandatory):
- Vellone E. La ricerca infermieristica. Leggerla, comprenderla e applicarla. Milano: The McGraw-Hill Companies srl; 2004;
- Mortari L, Zannini L (a cura di). La ricerca qualitativa in ambito sanitario. 1a edizione. Roma: Carocci editore S.p.A.; 2017;
- Polit DF, Tatano Beck C. Fondamenti di Ricerca infermieristica. 1a edizione. Milano: McGraw-Hill Education; 2014;

Foundations of nursing research.
Premises in research and ethical aspects.
The quantitative, qualitative and mixed approach in nursing research.
Quantitative research designs (case reports; observational, quasi-experimental and experimental studies; case-control and cohort studies; cross-sectional and longitudinal studies; retrospective and prospective studies; narrative or systematic literature reviews, meta-analyses).
Qualitative research designs (phenomenological research; ethnographic research; grounded theory).
Ancillary research topics.
Evidence-Based Nursing (or Medicine) Definition” (EBN, EBM).
Strengths and limits of the EBN/EBM philosophy
Alternative working methods to EBN/EBM
Definition and methods of production of the guideline
Search for a guideline in information sources, its critical consultation and evaluation of its applicability in practice

Lectures with broad interaction between students and teacher.
Discussion of documents.
Any modification becoming necessary will be communicated on the Department website.

The teacher will provide an overview of the main topics of the program (on Moodle platform) and materials for in-depth individual study. For the purposes of the final evaluation it is essential to integrate these contents with what learned and discussed during the lessons.

Interim evaluation tests might be scheduled.
The final exam will take place in a joint session of the integrated course through a written test (MCQ), followed by an oral test in small students’ groups focused on the critical analysis of a scientific article. The final grade will be assigned as the arithmetic average of both exams.
The written test will consist of 15 questions with three or four answers (only one correct) to be answered in a maximum time of 40 minutes.
The evaluation (pass: 18/30) will be assigned based on the following criteria:
Insufficient: Poor or deficient quality of article analysis. Clear shortcomings in the theoretical basis for identifying biases. Evident lack of knowledge of the basics of statistics related to the course program. Inability to make an objective judgment about the applicability of research findings in practice. Clear asymmetry in the contribution of individual students to the analysis and presentation.
18-20: Just enough quality of the article's analysis. Weaknesses in the theoretical basis for the identification of biases. Just enough ability to analyze research results based on knowledge of statistics related to the course program. Limited ability to make an objective judgment about the applicability of research findings in practice. Clear asymmetry in the contribution of individual students to the analysis and presentation.
21-23: Sufficient quality of the analysis of the article. Limited deficiencies in the theoretical basis for identifying biases. Sufficient ability to analyze research results based on knowledge of statistics related to the course program. Sufficient ability to make an objective judgment on the applicability of research findings in practice. Clear asymmetry in the contribution of individual students to the analysis and presentation.
24-26: Fair quality of the analysis of the article. Minor deficiencies in the theoretical basis for the identification of biases. Fair ability to analyze research results based on knowledge of statistics related to the course program. Fair ability to express an objective judgment on the applicability of research findings in practice. Evident symmetry in the contribution of individual students to the analysis and exposition.
27-29: Good quality of the analysis of the article. Minor deficiencies in the theoretical basis for the identification of biases. Good ability to analyze research results based on knowledge of statistics related to the course programme. Good ability to make an objective judgment on the applicability of research findings in practice. Evident symmetry in the contribution of individual students to the analysis and exposition.
30-30L: Excellent quality of article analysis. Absence of deficiencies in the theoretical basis for the identification of biases. Excellent ability to analyze research results based on knowledge of statistics related to the course program. Excellent ability to express an objective judgment on the applicability of research findings in practice. Evident symmetry in the contribution of individual students to the analysis and exposition. Laude: Ability to argue the required contents in a rigorous, innovative and original way.