96102 Research Methods in Genetic Counselling
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96104c Communication and Counselling AND 96103c Medical Genetics and Genomics in Practice AND 96105c Clinical and Community Placement 1
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Research evidence underpins all healthcare practice. An appreciation of research methods is essential for critically appraising, synthesising, selecting and applying research findings, recruiting patients to clinical research studies, explaining research findings and conducting research. Students are introduced to the philosophy, principles and practice of research, drawing on key texts and considering different theories and methodologies. The subject focuses in detail on inductive (qualitative) and deductive (quantitative) and mixed methods theories, approaches and designs and systematic literature reviews. Students are taught critical appraisal throughout the subject.
This subject underpins later work in the students’ research projects (96108 and 96114) and in 96109 Research Issues in Genetic Counselling. It is facilitated by researchers with qualitative and quantitative research experience and expertise. Reflection, ethics and integrity are fundamental to the practice of research and an important component of this subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 080. | Identify and discuss the underlying principles of research |
|---|---|
| 081. | Critically appraise selected research to assess its trustworthiness, value and relevance for clinical practice |
| 085. | Discuss the ethical implications of research and construct an ethics application |
| 093. | Identify and analyse the values expressed in different decisions made during the research process |
| 094. | Articulate ethical justifications for methodological decisions |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Apply evidence-based genetic and genomic health care to practice across a variety of settings and roles. (1.1)
- Use research skills to enhance genetic counselling practice through an ability to critically appraise literature and to respond to a variety of challenges that arise in genetic counselling practice. (4.1)
- Demonstrate skills in designing and participating in ethically robust research. (4.2)
- Demonstrate the core tenets of the genetic counselling profession, including professional and ethical behaviour and responding positively to changes in genetic and genomic healthcare. (5.2)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The subject contributes to the following graduate attribute:
Research-enabled:
Graduates of the Master of Genetic Counselling are lifelong learners who effectively integrate research evidence into practice, are proactive in identifying gaps in knowledge and are competent to undertake research to advance the evidence base and inform future genetic and genomic counselling practice.
Teaching and learning strategies
Preparation for Learning: Pre-work is undertaken on Canvas prior to weekly live and online workshops. Students will be provided with preparation activities each week, including readings, discussions, reflection questions, case studies and videos that prepare them for the live and online sessions. Please ensure that prep work is carried out prior to the live and online session so that you have spent time accessing and making sense of ideas. Attending the live and online workshops will allow you to test these ideas and get feedback from the academic staff and peers which will further consolidate your learning.
Live and online workshops: Weekly live and online workshops provide students with opportunities to participate in discussion and problem-based learning activities. Guest lectures by experts in specific areas will occur during the weekly live and online workshops. The activities in the weekly workshops build on the prep work. Students will work in pairs, small groups and as a class during the workshops. Verbal feedback will be provided during the live and online workshops.
Block workshops: Students will attend a block, during which they will participate in workshops that will include class and group discussions.
Research Integrated Learning: Taking an evidence-based approach to work with clients is an essential skill. Current research is integrated into content provided in prep work and workshops. Students are encouraged to seek out, read, discuss and utilise current research in genetic counselling in preparation for providing evidence-based care.
Reflective Learning: Students are encouraged to critically reflect on their learning and their skill development throughout the subject, to identify areas where they may improve their performance, and to assist in the development of lifelong learning. Opportunities for reflection include the weekly reflective practice supervision groups that are part of 96105 Clinical and Community Placement 1.
Ongoing feedback: Verbal feedback will be provided throughout the subject during block and live and online workshops. Opportunities for verbal formative feedback on assessment tasks are available prior to the due date and summative feedback is provided following final submission.
Content (topics)
Module 1 (weeks Professional skills week &1): Introduction to the philosophy, principles and practice of research
Module 2 (week 2): Research ethics and integrity 1
- Principles
Module 3 (weeks 3-5) Qualitative research
- Inductive research theories and approaches
- Qualitative research methods
Module 4 (weeks 6-8): Quantitative research
- Hypothetico-deductive research theory and approaches
- Quantitative research methods
Module 5 (week 9-10): Mixed methods research
- Mixed methods research theory and designs
Module 6 (weeks 11-12): Literature review methods
- Principles
- Methods
Module 7 (week 13-14): Research ethics and integrity 2
- Practice
- Wrap up
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Presentation: research philosophies and broad principles
| Intent: | This task provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the underlying philosophies and principles of research and to be able to explain these concepts to an imagined audience of first year undergraduate allied health professionals. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 080 and 085 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 4.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | The presentation should be no more than 30 slides. |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on their ability to successfully communicate the underlying philosophies and principles of research at an appropriate level for the target audience. Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. Feedback will be provided 3 weeks after the due date. |
Assessment task 2: Critically appraise a research paper (must pass)
| Intent: | The ability to critically appraise research, apply research findings to genetic counselling practice and communicate research to clinical colleagues are core skills of genetic counsellors. This task provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability in these areas. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 080, 081 and 085 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 750-word report summarising the aims, ethics approvals, methods, results, strengths and weaknesses of the paper and the implications for clinical practice and future research. |
| Criteria: | This is a "must pass" assessment with a minimum 50% grade required. Students will be assessed on their ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. Feedback will be provided 3 weeks after the due date. Students are required to submit their work via Turnitin in Canvas. Students may be required to defend their work in an oral interview. |
Assessment task 3: Engage with and learn from a researcher (must pass)
| Intent: | This task provides students with the opportunity to work with colleagues to engage with and learn from a researcher working in a field relevant to genetic counselling. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 080, 085, 093 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 5-minute oral presentation and 500-word reflection |
| Criteria: | This is a "must pass" assessment with a minimum 50% grade required Students will be assessed on their ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. Feedback will be provided after the UTS results release date. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this Subject, students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of classes and submit all assessment tasks.
Additionally, there are "must pass" assessments in this subject. Refer to assessment task for details
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Additional required readings will be provided via Canvas