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Introduction
Understanding Nursing Research equips you with the foundational research literacy skills required to develop a scholarly understanding of a contemporary nursing issue. You will explore what constitutes evidence in nursing and health research, learn effective strategies for systematic literature searching, and examine approaches to evaluating the quality, relevance, and applicability of research evidence. Through these learning activities, you build the knowledge and analytical skills necessary to formulate a theoretically informed research question and to examine the evidence base related to your chosen area of inquiry. These skills form the essential preparatory foundation for the subsequent units, in which you will design and undertake the research project informed by the work completed here.
Summary
| Unit name | Understanding Nursing Research |
| Unit code | CNA450 |
| Credit points | 25 |
| College/School | Health School of Nursing |
| Discipline | Nursing |
| Coordinator | Associate Professor Shandell Elmer |
| Delivered By | University of Tasmania |
| Level | Honours |
Availability
| Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
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| Online | Semester 1 |
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| Online | Semester 2 |
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- Key:
On-campus- Off-Campus
- International students
- Domestic students
Note
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Units are offered in attending mode unless otherwise indicated (that is attendance is required at the campus identified). A unit identified as offered by distance, that is there is no requirement for attendance, is identified with a nominal enrolment campus. A unit offered to both attending students and by distance from the same campus is identified as having both modes of study.
Key Dates
| Study Period | Start date | Census date | WW date | End date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | 23/02/2026 | 17/03/2026 | 20/04/2026 | 14/06/2026 |
| Semester 2 | 06/07/2026 | 28/07/2026 | 31/08/2026 | 25/10/2026 |
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).
Unit census dates currently displaying for 2026 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2026 will be available from the 1st October 2025. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).
Learning Outcomes
- Develop and justify a theoretically informed research question that addresses a contemporary nursing issue.
- Critically appraise and synthesise the theoretical and empirical evidence related to the chosen research area.
- Produce a narrative literature review that evaluates and synthesises evidence to establish the scholarly context of your chosen research area.
- Develop a coherent rationale for a proposed research project by analysing and integrating evidence gathered through systematic literature searching.
Fee Information
| Field of Education | Commencing Student Contribution 1,3 | Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3 | Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3 | Domestic Full Fee 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 060301 | $1,184.00 | $1,184.00 | not applicable | $6,356.00 |
- Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
- HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility3
- FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility4
1 Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
2 Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
3 Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
4 Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.
If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.
Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.
Teaching
| Teaching Pattern | Individual Study – This unit is offered fully online via MyLO (My Learning Online). You are expected to devote around 10 hours per week to the study materials, assessment tasks and self-directed learning. |
|---|---|
| Assessment | Presentation (40%)|Literature Review (60%) |
| Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
| Required |
Any required readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator.
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| Recommended | Recommended Readings will be provided by your Unit Coordinator via the Reading List link in MyLO, or the unit Reading List on the University Library website. |
The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.