Doctor of Nursing

Purpose

The primary purpose is to ensure that high level academic research which takes place in the field of Nursing, thereby enabling individual achievement and institutional capacity building. Learners are expected to:

• Conceptualize and implement research initiatives and formulation in the specialized field.
• Apply methods and/or research techniques to specialized knowledge and/or theory under study.
• Produce independent research output for examination, scholarly debates and/or publications.

Rationale

There is currently no programme at doctoral level offered in the region, and there are large numbers of Masters students who have pursued research that is specific to challenges, issues, hypotheses and research questions of the region in and around the Amathole district. There is research being conducted at advanced Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level in the region by universities from the United States and the results are not being fully integrated into the region, thus there is an urgent need for the University to offer its own PhD to contribute to the expertise and capacity in this district.

Furthermore, external donor funding specifically destined to transform the scholarship of the Nursing Sciences, with a view to improving the health of the people of this region by introducing PhD and Masters programmes, has been received to the value of R16 million. Some of this funding is destined to upgrade infrastructure and promote human capital development, which will enhance research support capacity. Some donor funding has already been used for the building of new teaching facilities and for the purchase of library books for senior research Degrees and more equipment is to be purchased for the computer laboratory to accommodate the needs of PhD and Masters students.

The academic staff involved in the programme has an average period of experience of more than 30 years each in diverse fields within the Nursing Sciences, but also including management, education, research and policy making. Advantage must be taken of this extensive knowledge base whilst it is available to younger students in the system.

Currently there are 12 staff members in the department who are studying towards completion of their PhDs and it is expected that these staff will join the programme as co-supervisors from 2018 onwards.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The candidate must be able to demonstrate that substantial high-level research has been carried out, the hypotheses and results reported on in an appropriate manner to relevant parties and tested at a level comparable to that of an academic Master's Degree, and widely accepted in the field.

Submission of papers presented at recognised conferences or published in recognised journals may form the basis for RPL, subject to the approval of the Head of the Department of Nursing.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for this qualification is

• A Master's Degree in Nursing or equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of the Nursing Head of Department.

N/A

Exit Level Outcome

• Demonstrate an understanding of independent research.
• Conduct an independent research.
• Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and analytical techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to conduct a comprehensive literature review.
• Demonstrate an understanding of scientific academic writing.
• Compose an original research doctoral thesis.
• Contribute new knowledge in a chosen field.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome

• The ability to conduct an independent research.
• The ability to show understanding of independent research.
• The ability to apply research methods and analytical techniques.
• The ability to conduct a literature review.
• The ability to write in a scientific and academic manner.
• Create an original research doctoral thesis.

Integrated Assessment

The student will be assessed by three examiners (one internal and 2 external examiners). The doctoral thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to undertake independent research and a grasp of research methods and analytic techniques in their chosen field. The thesis must show the original work of the student and contribute new knowledge in the chosen field.