96109 Research Issues 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): 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 the learning from 96102 Research Methods in Genetic Counselling, this subject addresses the application of research methods and emphasises the importance of high quality research for the genetic counselling profession. The subject is taught alongside 96108 Research Project 1, enabling issues to be identified and addressed as they arise. Managing research, applying ethical principles to research practice, sampling and data collection, data analysis and the presentation of results, writing up, presenting and disseminating research and professional development in research are all addressed in this subject. Students are encouraged to examine the ethics application processes, peer review and the role of genetic counsellors in interprofessional research.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 025. | Choose appropriate modes of communication for target audiences |
|---|---|
| 081. | Critically appraise selected research to assess its trustworthiness, value and relevance for clinical practice |
| 082. | Apply selected research findings to genetic counselling practice |
| 085. | Discuss the ethical implications of research and construct an ethics application |
| 086. | Discuss the importance of informed consent when recruiting clients to research |
| 088. | Demonstrate academic integrity in research by conducting all aspects of the research process with honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility |
| 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)
- Provide education about genetics and genomics to a wide variety of audiences. (5.1)
- 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
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 may occur during the weekly live and online workshops. The activities in the weekly workshops build on the prep work. Students will work collaboratively 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 week, 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 relevant to 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 96099 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 2.
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 as a class are available prior to the due date and summative feedback is provided following final submission.
Content (topics)
Module 1 (weeks 1-2): Type, purpose and scope of research within genetic counselling
Module 2 (week 3): Exploring the real and potential risks of discrimination in research
Module 3 (week 4-5): Applying ethical principles to research practice
Module 4 (week 6-7) Critical appraisal of research and applying selected research findings to genetic counselling
Module 5 (week 8-9) Sampling, data collection and storing and handling data
Module 6 (weeks 10-11): Data analysis and presentation of research findings
Module 7 (week 12): Academic writing, referencing and using referencing software
Module 8 (week 13): Writing up, presenting and disseminating research
Module 9 (week 14): Wrap up
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Prepare a UTS Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) application and develop a participant information sheet and consent form for their own or a mock study
| Intent: | This task provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the nature, content and process of applying for HREC approval and the rationale for this process. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 085, 086 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 4.1 and 5.2 |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | The length of the documents will reflect those used in practice. |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on their ability to clearly and succinctly explain the purpose, methods, risks and benefits of the research study and the planned use of the data to enable potential participants to make an informed decision about whether or not to participate in the project. Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: ‘Ethics committee’ review
| Intent: | This task provides students with an opportunity to demonstrate the ability to critically analyse the ethical aspects of research, and to make recommendations about amendments that may be required fairly, respectfully and responsibly. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 081, 086, 088 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | Group report of no more than two pages and submitted recording. |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on their ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. Feedback will be provided up to 3 weeks after the due date. |
Assessment task 3: Critically appraise, synthesise and communicate research, this is a 'must-pass' assessment.
| Intent: | This task provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to critically appraise selected research, synthesise and communicate relevant findings in a format suitable for patients. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 025, 081 and 082 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 4.1, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | A 5-minute role play with a ‘client’ and 300 word summary letter. |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on their ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. Feedback will be provided up to 3 weeks after the due date. |
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 also includes a ‘must-pass’ assessment (AT3) 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 (login required)