96108 Research Project 1
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 96104 Communication and Counselling AND 96103 Medical Genetics and Genomics in Practice AND 96102 Research Methods in Genetic Counselling AND 96105 Clinical and Community Placement 1
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Building on 96102 Research Methods in Genetic Counselling, students undertake a research project over two subjects. Their project may involve a systematic search and narrative analysis of an area related to genetic counselling, working on a larger project as part of an established research team, or undertaking an independent original research study. In consultation with supervisors, the project goals are established, planning, organisation and reporting stages are agreed on, and a process of reflection is followed to ensure that the expectations of students and supervisors are met.
During this subject the study is developed and data is collected. Students keep a research journal, documenting progress, decisions made and the rationale for decisions. The journal is a helpful tool for keeping the research on track, guiding regular research supervision meetings, identifying areas for group tutorials and enabling reflection on the overall research process and learning during 96114 Research Project 2.
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 |
| 083. | Apply the principles of research to the conduct of an independent research project |
| 084. | Develop and present a well-structured research proposal |
| 086. | Discuss the importance of informed consent when recruiting clients to research |
| 087. | Conduct a research project to completion |
| 088. | Demonstrate academic integrity in research by conducting all aspects of the research process with honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility |
| 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)
- Apply professional self-awareness through self-reflection to enhance their practice in genetic and genomic counselling to improve client outcomes. (1.2)
- 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 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
Live and online session: All students will participate in regular live and online meetings as agreed with their research supervisor and subject coordinator. These meetings may involve group or individual meetings throughout the session. Depending on need, the weekly live and online meetings may involve whole group discussion, workshopping with smaller groups or one to one supervision. Weekly optional drop in sessions will be available for student meetings with the subject coordinator.
Supervisors / staff/ small group troubleshooting with or without staff/ library – flexible and monitored.
Preparation for Learning: Students will be provided with materials to facilitate their projects on Canvas. There will be a weekly discussion forum on Canvas for trouble-shooting.
Block workshops: Students will attend a block week, during which they will participate in workshops that will include class and group discussions.
Reflective Learning: Students are required to critically reflect on their learning about the research project as part of the eportfolio assessment task.
Ongoing feedback: Verbal feedback will be provided by research supervisors and academic staff members throughout the duration of the project. A minimum of 4 supervisory meetings are required with the project supervisor.
Content (topics)
Students undertake their research project during this subject and in 96114, Research Project 2
Possible research opportunities will be presented to students in the Autumn session of Year 1. UTS academic staff will match students to suitable projects depending on the student’s interest, experience, ability and location and the availability of projects.
Available projects will meet the criteria for one of three categories:
- Category I: Undertake a systematic literature search and narrative synthesis using a recognised method. Academics and clinical health professionals are invited to identify gaps in the literature and suggest questions or ideas for a systematic literature review, scoping review or document analysis. The student is expected to develop the research question and search strategy, undertake the search, select relevant articles, extract and synthesise that data and undertake a quality assessment where this is in line with the methodology. Primary supervision will be provided by an academic with expertise in the methodology, usually from within UTS. Co-supervision may be provided by the academic who proposed the project. UTS academic staff will be responsible for the student's learning and ensure genetic counselling expertise is provided.
- Category II: Undertake data collection and/or analysis of an element of an existing project within an established research group. Academics and/or clinical health professionals within an established research group may offer students an opportunity to work on an aspect of an ongoing study with researchers. Where possible, ethics approval will already be in place for the project. The student may undertake data collection and/or data analysis as part of a research team. In addition, the student will gain experience of working within an experienced research team and an understanding of the research process. The student will be expected to write up the aspect of the work they have undertaken and to reflect on the research process. Primary supervision will be provided by an academic from within the research group who will have expertise in the selected methodology. UTS academic staff will be responsible for the student's learning and ensure genetic counselling expertise is provided.
- Category III: Undertake a ‘student-ready’ original research project. For projects to be ‘student-ready’, academics or clinical health professionals will have identified the research question, designed the study, developed the protocol, and where possible, obtained ethics approval before the student commences the project. Students will be expected to gather and analyse data and write up the project. Primary supervision will be provided by the academic or clinical health professional who proposed and designed the project. UTS academic staff will be responsible for the student's learning and ensure genetic counselling expertise is provided.
All students will participate in weekly live and online meetings. These may involve group or individual meetings throughout the session. Depending on need, the weekly live and online meetings may involve whole group discussion, workshopping with smaller groups or one to one supervision.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research ePortfolio
| Intent: | The purpose of this task is to encourage students to work steadily on their research project throughout the session and to reflect and learn as they go. Completing the research ePortfolio helps students to identify where they need help with specific research issues. Students are expected to provide feedback to the subject coordinator on areas of learning needs identified in the ePortfolio so these can be addressed in the weekly live and online sessions and/or supervision sessions. The research ePortfolio will also contribute to the reflexive section of the final research assignment. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 080, 081, 083, 084, 086, 087, 088 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | A template (including word limits) will be provided for the logbook. A 500-word reflection demonstrating learning and progress to date will be submitted with the logbook. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Outline proposal and Gantt chart
| Intent: | This task enables students to develop a research proposal and timeline in preparation for the final research project assessment in Semester 3. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 083, 084 and 087 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Outline proposal - up to 2000 words (20%) Gant chart – a spreadsheet (10%) |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Write up the background and methods section of the final research project, this is a 'must-pass' assessment
| Intent: | This task prepares students for the final research project assessment in Semester 3. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 081, 083, 086, 087, 088 and 093 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Up to 3000 words |
Assessment task 4: Research supervisor’s report
| Intent: | The purpose of this task is to provide students with ongoing feedback from their research supervisors. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 081, 083, 086, 087, 088 and 093 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | A template will be provided. |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on their ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. Feedback will be provided up to three weeks after the due date. The template provided to supervisors will also be available to students so they are aware of expectations. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this Subject, a minimum grade of 50% must be achieved and students must submit all assessment tasks. This subject contains a ‘must-pass’ assessment (AT3, Backgrounds and methods) in which a minimum grade of 50% must be achieved.
Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% classes.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures