CW2: The brief – The Impact Evaluation Report A 4,000-word evaluation report which includes an actual and potential practice impact assessment of the project. Students will produce an evaluative report that will include: a literature review to contextualise their specific research and practice focus, an analysis of their research approach, the development of evidence-based practice and the ethical considerations relevant to their practice setting. The conclusion will provide a rationale for continued innovation in practice development. The report format and style is academic and formal in nature – though markers are aware that some aspects of the evaluation could be personal or reflexive in nature, so the judicious, sparring, specific and unavoidable use of ‘I’ will not be penalised. PLEASE NOTE: The points raised below outline key aspects of the assignment brief, so it is recommended that the report follows this format and considers the issues raised for analysis and discussion. It is not expected that all the points will be directly relevant to all student research experiences. So, you will need to prioritise and explore the most pertinent to your specific research experience. ……………………………………………………… The module learning outcomes: On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to: Critically evaluate evidence based practice within contemporary professional contexts and their own specialist area of practice Demonstrate an analytical approach to practice and critically evaluate aspects of practice where improvements need to be made Show critical understanding of research methods and their application in designing, researching and evaluating a project designed to improve practice Systematically assess the ethical issues around research and practice development in the specialist practice setting ………………………………………………………. The report falls into four main thematic sections Background reading/literature review: a tightly summarised consideration of existing research and/or theoretical models that relate to your specific research focus – that contextualises the themes explored and relates them to current aspects of practice. 2. Analysis of the research approach: Methodology – comparing your knowledge now to when you proposed the research project. What has changed in your understanding? How might you develop on your original approach? What were your research findings (the data analysis) – how did you evaluate and validate the findings? Were the tools that you chose appropriate and practical in terms of providing data to answer your questions or develop the area of study you explored? What were the advantages and disadvantages of your methodology (qualitative versus quantitative?) Were you able to engage with the issues that you feel were of greatest priority? Did your methodology capture and engage with your participants? Could your study have included other participants from the wider community? What aspects of your research did not work and how could they have been improved on? Was the scope of your study/project problematic? 3. The demonstration of an ethical approach to research and your practice setting: How did ethical consideration guide your research process? What particular ethical issues relate to your practice setting? Discuss how any ethical issues or unexpected outcomes were resolved in practice How were any areas of conflict or difficulty addressed in practice? How did your project protect the participants? What was their experience of the process like? Did you get positive feedback or see significant changes in team/participant dynamics? Did you target sample feel that they participated sufficiently in the research and in the evaluation of the research in terms of discussing pertinent areas in relating to their own development or interests (or did you ‘waste people’s time!)? What lessons were learnt from the ethical approval process that can be applied to future practice development? How did your project account for participant vulnerability? Did your participants feel valued and able to fully participate in the research process? How did they benefit? What do we need to consider when developing ethical engagement in areas of research and practice development? 4. The development of evidence-based practice: Show off your growing research literacy! Personal development through systematic reflection? What were the benefits of your literature search(es) - indicative reading, background policy, etc.? How did your research support your understanding and how did it further develop your applied research skills and work-based learning? What are the potential wider implications of carrying out your research for future practice development/innovation in your chosen area How could it contribute or be built to develop areas of future professional practice? How does or could the integration of research into practice positively lead to improved outcomes for the main beneficiaries of your practice setting? What wider sector or research issues have been raised through your research process? …………………………………………………… Suggested structure of report: Executive summary/abstract (2-300 words) Literature review (800 words) Analysis of the research approach and findings (800 words) Demonstrating an ethical approach (800 words) The development of evidence-based practice (800 words) Conclusions and future recommendations: what recommendations would integrate aspects of your learning into future practice development plans (provide a rationale for continued innovation in practice development)? (500 words) References Appendices: these will include data from your research or any other supporting documentation that you significantly cross reference in the report, e.g. participant evaluations, development of resources, outcomes, etc.