SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Nursing in Nursing Research

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110855	Master of Nursing in Nursing Research
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services		Preventive Health
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date - Status was "Registered-data under construction"		SAQA 06120/18	2018-07-01	2021-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2022-06-30		2025-06-30

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The completion of a Master of Nursing in Nursing Research will lead to an ability to contribute to the development of knowledge within the various disciplines of nursing and related health care issues. Graduates will have research knowledge and skill and an appreciation of the role of research in improving health care outcomes of individuals, groups and communities. Moreover, the qualification will lead to graduates who can reflect critically on theory; nursing research paradigms and their application to practically engaging in Nursing research.

The qualification will build nursing capacity within the public health care system by enabling learners to engage effectively in nursing and health care policies; frameworks and guidelines through systematic evidenced-based practice. Graduates completing this qualification are able to function as leaders, consultants, and specialist nurse research practitioners in providing evidence-based care in an array of nursing health care and patient outcomes.

Rationale:
This qualification will provide a career path for Professional Nurses who would like to specialise in the field of nursing research. Students learning towards this qualification will become advanced nurse practitioners within the area of nursing research. The advanced nurse practitioners require specialised skills and knowledge on research ethics; research computing skills; research methodologies, nursing research paradigms and statistics to conduct independent nursing research on an array of nursing issues to respond to the health care needs of society. Further to this, the qualification will prepare students to engage in research for evidence-based practice and grounding in epidemiology and biostatistics to respond wholly to the public health care needs of a society by enabling nurses to comprehensively and independently conduct nursing research.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning will be done in accordance with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Rule.
GR7 (b). The following learners who have a minimum of 5 years work experience in a research unit or as a nurse researcher will be considered for RPL:

Learners with a 3 year Degree in General Nursing or a Bachelor of Technology in Nursing, Level 7.

Entry Requirements:

Bachelor of Nursing, Level 8, or-

Bachelor of Nursing Honours, Level 8, or-

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing, Level 8 and-

Registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of electives and compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Electives: Choose one module:
Evidence Based Nursing Practice, 16 Credits.
The Roles and the Responsibility of a Nurse Researcher, 16 Credits.

Compulsory:

Qualitative Research, 16 Credits.

Advanced Practice: Nurse Role, 16 Credits.

Nursing Research and Nursing Research Methods, 16 Credits.

Nursing Research Project, 96 Credits.

Health Measurement (Analytic), 16 Credits.

Health Measurement (Descriptive), 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply a critical and evaluative approach to analysing complex issues in the chosen field of research, within the discipline of Nursing, when identifying and conceptualising a research area.
2. Demonstrate a comprehensive and systematic grasp of the specialist body of theoretical knowledge and its application in the critique of current research or practices in a selected field of study.
3. Utilise a wide range of specialised skills in designing and implementing an original research project that addresses complex issues in the chosen field of study.
4. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the most advanced research methodologies, techniques and technologies applicable to the selected area of study.
5. Undertake independent research in the field of health sciences and generate a thesis which reflects independent thinking, originality, critical analysis.
6. Defend research findings and advanced insight into the chosen field of research, namely Nursing.
7. Present research findings to a range of audiences using appropriate media or means to disseminate findings.
8. Identify and manage the ethical issues associated with research and knowledge production in the discipline of Nursing.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

Critically reflect on the implementation and evaluation of national and local health care plans and policies.

Implement reflective practice in relation to implementation of best practice benchmarks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved community health for individuals, groups and communities.

Relate knowledge to the resolution of complex community health problems.

Contextualise health systems and processes based on an understanding of historical and current trends.

Critique, synthesise and implement specialised community health care interventions based on sound judgment using prevalence and incidence indicators related to specific community health needs.

Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within community health care forums that represent key stakeholder within specific communities.

Conduct independent review, critique and implementation of evidence based practice.

Integrated Assessment:
Cases studies/Assignments and Seminars provide the opportunity for formative integrative assessment of knowledge, skills (cognitive and interpersonal) and attitudes.

Formative theoretical assessment of the appropriate application of knowledge and skills to various Nursing Research Projects, Programmes and Scenarios while attending to the principles of evidence based nursing practice and nursing research ethics.

Summative assessment in each module includes assessment of students ability to critique current nursing research from international; national and local sources.

Summative assessment is through a three hour written examination, assessing the application of theories, philosophies and principles of nursing research (from international, national and local sources) to various nursing research scenario; as well as a justification for the application of the chosen strategy.

In addition, summative assessments assess the student's ability to use reflective practice and problem solving skills in using various research methodologies and approaches to assess a research phenomenon related to nursing or health care problems; interventions and practices.

The research project reflects; and assesses the student ability to synthesise and apply the knowledge from the qualification in a real life research situation.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification articulates vertically with:

Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, Level 10.

This qualification articulates horizontally with:

Master of Nursing, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

NONE