Special Topics

Course Details

Course Number: NURS 4403  Section Number: X20

Spring 2012

Location: Bridwell Hall

Classroom Number: NA

Days & Times:

 Entirely online course.

45 hours minimum hours logged (average 3 hours/week)

Course Attachments

SyllabusSyllabus for NURS 4403 Spring 2012   N4403_syllabus2.rtf

Textbooks

Your Evidence Based Practice Text
No new textbook will be required.
MSU Faculty Member
Patti Hamilton RN, PhD   
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Course Objectives

Course Objectives:

 

By successfully completed course requirements students will be prepared to:

  1. Identify strategies for implementing a research protocol
  2. Demonstrate effective behaviors needed to conduct clinical research
  3. Critique selected research instruments and methods
  4. Participate as effective members of a research team
  5. Document, summarize and evaluate their clinical  research experiences

Course Expectations

LEARNING EXPERIENCES:

The students will engage in a variety of learning experiences including online discussions, readings, and preparation for participating on a research team and the maintaining of research Field Notes.

 

Course Grade Calculation

 

50%                        Field Notes and Log of Research Hours (45 hours minimum)- Each student will independently log time spent on course-related emailing, phone calling, reading (10 maximum credit for log), carrying out research tasks such as critiquing research instruments, administering surveys, entering data, keeping field notes (10 hour maximum credit) posting on the team Wiki, etc.

                                Midterm Review- due March 10 Review of field notes and feedback from instructor 

                                Final field notes due May 1, 2012 by 5pm.

 

50%                        Written summary of the student’s role in the overall study and the work accomplished including analysis of time spent on various research activities(see categories below).  The summary should also address ways the student accomplished the course objectives.

                                Maximum of 5 page, double spaced , font size 11 or larger.

                                Due May 1, 2012 by 5pm.

 

 

Recommended text

1) Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2005). Evidence-based practice in nursing &

healthcare : A guide to best practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

 

Supplemental readings will be available on project Wiki site.

 

 

Categories for field note logging of time spent  on research-related activities:

  1.  Gathering and studying background information
  2. Communicating with research team members
  3. Keeping research records
  4. Planning for next steps in the research
  5. Collecting Data
  6. Entering data into a spread sheet
  7. Coordinating research activities with others outside the team (other nurses, hospital units, committees, etc)
  8. Analyzing results
  9. Writing in field notes (10 hours maximum)
  10. Other (describe each activity logged)

Grading Standards

  

Course Grade Calculation

 

50%                        Field Notes and Log of Research Hours (45 hours minimum)- Each student will independently log time spent on course-related emailing, phone calling, reading (10 maximum credit for log), carrying out research tasks such as critiquing research instruments, administering surveys, entering data, keeping field notes (10 hour maximum credit) posting on the team Wiki, etc.

                                Midterm Review- due March 10 Review of field notes and feedback from instructor 

                                Final field notes due May 1, 2012 by 5pm.

 

50%                        Written summary of the student’s role in the overall study and the work accomplished including analysis of time spent on various research activities(see categories below).  The summary should also address ways the student accomplished the course objectives.

                                Maximum of 5 page, double spaced , font size 11 or larger.

                                Due May 1, 2012 by 5pm.

 


Submission Format Policy

APA 6th edtion is the exprected format.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

No late work accepted without 24 hour prior notice.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

Attendance is to be logged in Field Notes.

A minimum of 45 hours of course-related work is expected.

See syllabus for instructions for keeping Field Notes.


Other Policies

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Midwestern State University does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s disability and complies with Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in its admission, accessibility, and employment of individuals in programs and activities. MSU provides academic accommodations and auxiliary aids to individuals with disabilities as defined by law, who are otherwise qualified to meet academic employment and requirements. For assistance call (940) 397-4618 or (940) 397-4515 TDD. Please see the instructor outside of class to make any arrangements involving special accommodations. It is the student’s responsibility to declare any disabilities. After declaration, preferably at the beginning of each semester, the student needs to contact individual instructors to determine any reasonable accommodations that may be required.

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Graduate students are held to the highest standard of academic honesty. Plagiarism is any assignment will earn a grade of 0. The best way to avoid plagiarism, or the appearance thereof, is to reference all quotations or paraphrased material in accordance with APA 6th edition. Material that is not cited should represent the student’s own work.

 

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT HONOR CREED

“As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else to do so.”

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, we, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one’s own work, work or ideas which are not entirely one’s own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.