Overview
Informed practice is fundamental to safe practice in midwifery care and ethical decision making. Informed practice requires you to review evidence for its relevance to best practice. In this unit, you will apply skills to search for evidence, critically review contemporary research and other evidence, and critique current policies relevant to midwifery practice.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-Requisites: MDWF12002 Foundations of Midwifery 1, MDWF12003 Midwifery Practice 1, and MDWF12007 Professional Midwifery Practice: Legal and Ethical Frameworks
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Identify the types of evidence that inform current safe, quality midwifery practice
- Critically analyse current evidence for translation into midwifery practice
- Evaluate the relevance of current research to inform ethical decision making in midwifery practice
- Analyse and critique current policy relevant to midwifery practice.
Standard 1 Safety of the public.
Standard 3 Program of study.
Standard 5 Student assessment.
The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) Midwife Standards for Practice (2018).
Standard 1: Promotes evidence-based maternal health and wellbeing.
Standard 4: Undertakes comprehensive assessments.
Standard 5: Develops plans for midwifery practice.
Standard 6: Provides safe and quality midwifery practice.
Standard 7: Evaluates outcomes to improve midwifery practice.
NMBA Code of Conduct for Midwives (2018).
Principle 2: Woman-centred practice.
Principle 6: Research in health.
The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) International Code of Ethics for Midwives (2014).
Practice of midwifery.
The professional responsibilities of Midwives.
Advancement of midwifery knowledge and practice.
National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards (2017).
Communicating for Safety.
Clinical Governance Standard.
Preventing and Controlling Healthcare-Associated Infection Standard.
Medication Safety Standard.
Comprehensive Care Standard.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Report - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | |
| 1 - Case Study - 50% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Report - 50% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Academic Learning Centre services
- Endnote
- Headphones/speaker/microphone
- Microsoft Office
- Wordprocessing, spreadsheeting and powerpoint software
- Zoom
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
- CQU Library hosted Literature Databases
- Microsoft Teams (both microphone and webcam capability)
- Zoom access: microphone and webcam required
- Australian Standards (through CQU library)
- CQU library search tools
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
t.capper@cqu.edu.au
Week 1 Introduction to Research
Begin Date: 13 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Introduction to Research
Chapter
Review the Moodle site and click on all the links.
Find out what is in Student Support.
Find out how to find the Library.
Click on the link and learn what is in the Academic Learning Centre.
Readings:
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Welcome and unit introduction.
Weekly lecture.
Assessments:
Review the assessment tasks and make a study plan.
Foundations of Academic Integrity Program:
Complete your annual program (if relevant).
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 2 Application of the Evidence to Midwifery Practice
Begin Date: 20 Jul 2026Module/Topic
Application of the Evidence to Midwifery Practice
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 1:
Start thinking about Assessment Task 1.
Zoom Session:
Attend live Zoom Session on Assessment Task 1.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 3 PICO and Searching for Evidence
Begin Date: 27 Jul 2026Module/Topic
PICO and Searching for Evidence
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 1:
Begin drafting Assessment Task 1.
Census Date:
Is next week. If you are struggling, please contact your Unit Coordinator for help.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 4 Appraising the Evidence
Begin Date: 03 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Appraising the Evidence
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 1:
Progress your work on Assessment Task 1.
Census Date
Tuesday 4th of August.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 5 Qualitative Research
Begin Date: 10 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Qualitative Research
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 1:
Submit Assessment Task 1 by the due date of Wednesday 12th August.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Written Assessment Due: Week 5 Wednesday (12 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 6 Quantitative Research
Begin Date: 17 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Quantitative Research
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 24 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
NIL
Week 7 Mixed Methods Research
Begin Date: 31 Aug 2026Module/Topic
Mixed Methods Research
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 2:
Start to think about Assessment Task 2.
Carefully read the feedback provided from Assessment Task 1.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 8 Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT's)
Begin Date: 07 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 2:
Progress work on Assessment Task 2.
Zoom Session:
Attend live Zoom Session on Assessment Task 2.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 9 Systematic Reviews
Begin Date: 14 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Systematic Reviews
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 2:
Progress work on Assessment Task 2 for submission in week 11.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Week 10 Ethical and Legal Issues in Research
Begin Date: 21 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Ethical and Legal Issues in Research
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 2:
Progress work on Assessment Task 2 for submission in week 11.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Don’t forget - Check your unit enrolments for next term.
Week 11 Policies and Clinical Practice Guidelines
Begin Date: 28 Sep 2026Module/Topic
Policies and Clinical Practice Guidelines
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Weekly lecture.
Assessment 2:
Submit Assessment Task 2 by Wednesday 30th September.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey:
We encourage you to provide feedback about your unit and teaching experiences in this unit. The survey opens Week 11 and closes one week before release of grades.
Written Assessment Due: Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Week 12 Applying Research Knowledge to Practice
Begin Date: 05 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Applying Research Knowledge to Practice
Chapter
Chapter 8 of: Midwifery Preparation for Practice, 5th Edition.
Activities and readings outlined in the module.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Recorded presentations:
Nil - use time to revise the unit content.
Announcements and Discussion Forums:
Check for posts and updates.
Student email:
Check your student email at least twice per week for important communications.
Student Unit and Teaching Evaluation survey:
Please complete the unit evaluation survey.
Congratulations on completing this unit. Don’t forget to check your unit enrolments for next term.
Exam Week
Begin Date: 12 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
NIL
Vacation/Exam Week
Begin Date: 19 Oct 2026Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
NIL
As this unit is offered online, students are asked to prepare their own individual study plan to undertake self-led and self-directed study throughout the term. A key to your success is a strategic self-directed approach to learning and regular contact with your Unit Coordinator/s. Please check the Announcements and Discussion forums at least twice a week – there will be regular announcements about assessments and unit resources throughout the term and reviewing this information is essential to unit knowledge and your success. CQUniversity communicates with students through CQUniversity email. We recommend that you access your CQUniversity email at least twice a week so that you do not miss vital information about your studies.
1 Case Study
Aim
The aim of this assessment is to develop your ability to locate, appraise, synthesise, and translate contemporary evidence into safe, quality midwifery practice. Through undertaking a structured review of the literature related to a chosen case study, you will explore how different types of evidence inform clinical decision-making and evidence sharing. The assessment supports you to critically analyse current research and guidelines, and to apply this evidence in a way that is clinically appropriate, culturally safe, and respectfully communicated to women and their families. Emphasis is placed on strengthening your skills in evidence-based midwifery practice, clinical reasoning, and clear, empathetic communication tailored to the woman’s needs.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Academic Integrity
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions:
Extensions are available as per policy.
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 5 Wednesday (12 Aug 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit via the Moodle page
Week 7 Wednesday (2 Sept 2026)
Please allow for three weeks past the due date for the return of marked assessments.
The assessment criteria are provided on the unit Moodle site.
- Identify the types of evidence that inform current safe, quality midwifery practice
- Critically analyse current evidence for translation into midwifery practice
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
2 Report
Aim
The aim of this assessment is for you to develop your ability to critically engage with contemporary midwifery practice. You will select a specific area of practice and use current evidence to discuss how the area of midwifery practice is currently implemented. Based on your evaluation, you will make a recommendation on whether a change to this practice is needed. You will then justify your recommendation, whether to maintain or modify the practice, by drawing on contemporary scholarly literature, helping you strengthen your skills in evidence-informed decision-making.
Instructions
Please refer to the assessment task instructions on the unit Moodle site.
Level of GenAI use allowed:
Level 2: You may use Al for planning, idea development, and research. Your final submission should show how you have developed and refined these ideas.
Academic Integrity
1. You must abide by the principles of academic integrity (see Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure). Completion of this assessment with another party or sharing of responses is not permitted at any time.
2. The use of any generative artificial intelligence is permitted as per Level 2 (AI planning) AI Assessment scale tool indicators:
a. Gen AI content editing and proofreading.
b. Checking spelling and grammar.
c. CQUniversity’s Gen AI tools approved for use in this assessment are Microsoft Copilot (protected version), Studiosity and Grammarly.
3. Any use of Gen AI software:
a. Must be cited in the relevant sections.
b. Must be referenced as per APA 7th guidelines.
You must complete the declaration of Gen AI use on the title page of your assessment.
Extensions:
Extensions are available as per policy.
The 72-hour grace period may apply to this assessment.
Minimum Pass Criteria
A minimum grade of 50% is required to pass this assessment.
You must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 49.5% across all assessments to pass this unit.
In the event you are eligible for a supplementary assessment, all assessment tasks must be reasonably attempted in this unit.
Week 11 Wednesday (30 Sept 2026) 4:00 pm AEST
Submit via the unit Moodle page
Vacation/Exam Week Wednesday (21 Oct 2026)
Please allow for three weeks past the due date for the return of marked assessments.
The assessment criteria are provided on the unit Moodle site.
- Identify the types of evidence that inform current safe, quality midwifery practice
- Critically analyse current evidence for translation into midwifery practice
- Evaluate the relevance of current research to inform ethical decision making in midwifery practice
- Analyse and critique current policy relevant to midwifery practice.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
