Evidence Based Midwifery Care - HEA00169I
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2026-27 |
Module aims
- To enable a rigorous understanding and critique of research, evidence and scholarship (local, national, and international) in midwifery and related fields, which facilitates informed decision making, contemporary practice and the midwife as scholar.
- To analyse and critique the midwife’s contribution to the knowledge base for practice and policy through research, audit and service evaluation, engagement and consultation.
- To establish rigorous understanding and critique of the evidence base to support safe and effective midwifery care, providing continuity of care and carer.
Module learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate the origins, validity and application of research, evidence and scholarship (local, national, and international) in midwifery and related fields.
- Analyse and evaluate the concept of evidence-based practice, including a focus on supporting safe and effective midwifery care, and providing continuity of care and carer.
- Critically appraise research, evidence and scholarship (local, national, and international) in midwifery and related fields, demonstrating strong understanding of processes and methodologies.
- Analyse and critique the midwife’s contribution to the knowledge base for practice and policy through research, audit and service evaluation, engagement and consultation.
- Evidence academic writing skills that use critical appraisal to construct reasoned arguments.
Module content
Content includes: research, evidence and scholarship - methods, approaches and critique; systematic database searching skills; systematic reviews; evidence synthesis; critical appraisal skills; audit and service evaluation; evidence re continuity of care and carer; grey literature; ethics and quality; local, national and international perspectives re research and scholarship; themes within UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (BFI) University Standards mapped to this module including the evidence base that underpins infant feeding practices; Advancing academic and library skills - detailed & strategic approaches to literature searching & reference management.
Please also see detailed mapping of the module content to NMC
(2019) Standards of proficiency for midwives
for the programme.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Special assessment rules
Non-compensatable
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100.0 |
Module feedback
Written feedback will be provided on the standard proforma within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.
Indicative reading
Aveyard, H., Sharp, P. and Woolliams, M. (2023). A beginner's guide to evidence-based practice in health and social care. 4th edn. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
CASP (2022). CASP Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. [Online] Available at: https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/ [Accessed: 17 June 2026].
Cochrane Library (2026). Cochrane Library. [Online] Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/ (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
Cormack, D. (ed.) (2023). The research process in nursing. 8th edn. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Doughty, R. and Menage, D. (2022). Introduction to research for midwives. 4th edn. London: Elsevier.
Dyson, S. and Norrie, P. (2013). Research skills for nurses and midwives. London: Quay Books.
Greenhalgh, T. and Dijkstra, P. (2024). How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based healthcare. 6th edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley-Blackwell.
Harvey, M. and Land, L. (2021). Research methods for nurses and midwives: theory and practice. 2nd edn. London: Sage.
Holloway, I. and Galvin, K. (2017). Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare. 4th edn. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Moule, P., Aveyard, H. and Goodman, M. (2021). Making sense of research in nursing, health and social care. 7th edn. London: Sage.
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (2026). National Institute for Health and Care Research. [Online] Available at: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/ [Accessed: 17 June 2026].
National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU) (2026) Research. [Online] Available at: https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/research [Accessed: 17 June 2026].
Page, M.J. et al. (2021). 'The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews', BMJ, 372, p. n71. doi:10.1136/bmj.n71.
Parahoo, K. (2014). Nursing research: principles, process and issues. 3rd edn. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Polgar, S. and Thomas, S.A. (2019). Introduction to research in the health sciences. 7th edn. London: Elsevier.
Polit, D.F. and Beck, C.T. (2025). Nursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. 12th edn. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Rees, C. (2011). An introduction to research for midwives. 3rd edn. Edinburgh: Elsevier.
Rees, C. (2016). Rapid research methods for nurses, midwives and health professionals. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.
Silverman, D. (2024). Interpreting qualitative data. 6th edn. London: Sage.
Steen, M. (ed.) (2025). The handbook of midwifery research. 2nd edn. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
Tatterton, M.J. and Fisher, M.J. (2026). Evidence-based practice for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. 5th edn. London: Elsevier.
UNICEF UK (2026). Evidence and rationale for the Baby Friendly standards. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/about/evidence-and-rationale-for-the-baby-friendly-standards/ [Accessed: 17 June 2026].
Whitehead, D. and Terry, D. (eds.) (2024). Nursing and midwifery research ANZ: methods and appraisal for evidence-based practice. 7th edn. Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier.