A greater evidence-base is needed to develop clinical practice in palliative care and understand better the needs of the population. It is, therefore, essential that practitioners in palliative care understand the importance of research; how to appraise existing literature; how to ask a pertinent research question and importance of selecting appropriate methodologies to conduct research in palliative and end of life care.

This course consists of lectures weekly, tutorials and forum discusssions.

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1. Research Proposal (3,000 words) - 70% (ILO 1, 3, 4 & 5)

2. Presentation 15 minutes - 30% (ILO 2 & 4)

This course aims to provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of the importance of evidence-based practice and research in palliative and end of life care. Students will learn to critique the literature in palliative and end of life care in order to provide them with, an in-depth knowledge, understanding and skills in research methodologies used in palliative and end of life care. The course will also give students the opportunity to develop a research proposal in an area of palliative or end of life care.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Critically discuss the importance of evidence-based practice in palliative and end of life care.

2. Critically assess the ethical, moral and logistical challenges that arise in research in palliative and end of life care

3. Critically evaluate and select the most appropriate method for addressing a research question in palliative or end of life care.

4. Critically appraise existing literature to formulate a research question 

5. Create a research proposal.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.