Module Code - Title:
NM8003
-
INDEPENDENT ENQUIRY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
PF
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module presents students with the opportunity to study in depth a chosen topic within an area of practice outside of their supervisory team. The process will involve regular meetings with a member of the academic staff who will act as a facilitator of the students independent enquiry. The chosen subject area can relate to a student's professional practice focusing on leadership, clinical decision making, expanding scope of practice, collaborative quality improvement approach, but must not be part of the final thesis.
Syllabus:
• Carry out an in-depth study in a specialist area.
• Use current existing research findings to evaluate specified issues
• Critically review research to an advanced level
• Demonstrate scholarship in a written piece of work
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
• Negotiate, plan and carry out a programme of learning and assessment in a relevant subject area.
• Critically justify and rigorously apply appropriate methods and techniques.
• Work autonomously to manage material, research tasks and writing.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
• Confidently communicate the above knowledge, skills and understanding coherently and effectively in written, verbal and digital communication.
• Appreciate the importance of ethical awareness in conducting meaningful research in collaborative practice.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
N/A
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The Module Leader will offer a session for ILM Supervisors on ILM process at the start of the semester. This session will focus on the process, deadlines, assignment options, and the ILM contract. ILM facilitators will meet with students and agree a Learning Agreement. Student and ILM facilitators will arrange to meet throughout the semester as agreed and may take place via Skype to facilitate distant learners.
The focus of the module is guided, in-depth self-study of evidence based findings in a practice area.
This module addresses the graduate attributes of proactive (through deciding area of study), knowledgeable (expansion of research knowledge), responsible (high degree of self-study) and articulate (justifying findings 1-1 with ILM supervisor).
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Chambers, D. (2007)
How to succeed with problem-based learning
, Curriculum Corporation
Checkland, P. B. and Poulter, J. (2006)
Learning for Action: A Short Definitive Account of Soft Systems
Methodology and its Use, for Practitioners, Teachers and Students
, John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
Thomas, E. (2015)
Compendium of effective practice in directed independent learning
, Higher
Education Academy
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Owen.Doody@ul.ie