96114 Research Project 2
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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): 96110 Genetic Counselling AND 96108 Research Project 1 AND 96099 Genetic Counselling Clinical Placement 2 AND 96109 Research Issues in Genetic Counselling
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Students continue to work on the research project commenced in 96108 Research Project 1, drawing on the theories and skills learnt in 96102 Research Methods in Genetic Counselling and 96109 Research Issues in Genetic Counselling. Regular supervision continues and tutorials are provided about areas of learning need identified by students and supervisors. Drawing on the Research ePortfolio, students reflect on the implications of the research for genetic counselling as well as the research process. Students are encouraged to develop skills in data analysis, writing up and dissemination of research.
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 |
| 082. | Apply selected research findings to genetic counselling practice |
| 083. | Apply the principles of research to the conduct of an independent research project |
| 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 |
| 089. | Engage in collaborative working as part of a multidisciplinary/ interprofessional research team |
| 090. | Disseminate the findings of a research project to a variety of audiences |
| 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 skills in designing and participating in ethically robust research. (4.2)
- 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
Research supervision: All students participate in regular supervision meetings, with their project supervisor. In 96114 students are expected to meet with their project supervisors on at least four occasions and with their UTS supervisors on at least two occasions. Students may meet with their supervisors together of separately.
Live and online session: For 12 weeks of the semester, students will participate in a weekly live and online research workshop. During this session, optional workshops are run for small groups of students where similar learning needs are identified, and other students may undertake focused work on a specific research task as appropriate to their project. Students also have the opportunity to ask questions of the subject coordinator, raise concerns, talk with their UTS supervisors and/or each other about their research or request specific skills training. Where necessary, additional workshops are arranged outside of class time, similar to the supervision meetings.
On Canvas, there is a discussion board and a helpful resources repository that students are encouraged to engage with.
Preparation for Learning: There is no weekly Canvas content but helpful resources will be provided as required on Canvas. There is a weekly discussion forum on Canvas for trouble-shooting.
Block workshops: Students attend a block, during which they participate in workshops that include class and group discussions. The block class for 96114 is mandatory.
Reflective Learning: Students are required to critically reflect on their learning about the research project in an assessment task.
Ongoing feedback: Verbal and written feedback is provided by research supervisors and academic staff members throughout the duration of the project.
Content (topics)
Students continue to work on the research project they commenced in 96108 Research Project 1. Building on the work they have done to set up the study, they will collect and/or analyse data, and interpret the data. In 96108 students’ final assignment was to write up the background and methods of their study. In 96114, they will write up the whole study, using the feedback they received.
Students continue to work closely with their project and UTS supervisors, managing those relationships and ensuring they are organised, systematic and rigorous in conducting their research. To facilitate this learning, students maintain the research ePortfolio they commenced in 96108 and their supervisors are expected to provide a final report on their progress and approach to the research. Supervision meetings continue to be offered throughout the breaks depending on the availability of supervisors and students.
A weekly ‘live and online’ research workshop will be mandatory for all students. Students will also be required to attend classes in block and in Week 11 where they will present AT3.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Research ePortfolio, incorporating a reflective account and supervisors’ report (Must Pass)
| Intent: | The purpose of this task is to facilitate students to work steadily on their research project throughout the session and to reflect and learn as they go. The ePortfolio will help to guide the supervision meetings. The ePortfolio submitted for Semester 2 (96109) and Semester 3 (96114) and the supervisors’ report help students to write their reflective account at the end of the research learning. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 080, 081, 083, 086, 087, 088, 093 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Portfolio |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | A template (including word limits) will be provided for the Research ePortfolio. A 500-word reflective account, demonstrating learning about the research process will be submitted with the research ePortfolio. A template (including word limits) will be provided for the supervisors’ report. The template provided to supervisors will also be available to students so they are aware of expectations. The report will document meeting attendance, organisation and communication will be completed by project and UTS supervisors and submitted with the ePortfolio and reflective account. |
| Criteria: | This is a "must pass" assessment with a minimum 50% grade required. You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Gantt chart
| Intent: | This task helps students to plan their project for the duration of the session. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 082, 083, 087, 088 and 089 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 4.1 and 4.2 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 5% |
| Length: | A spreadsheet |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 3: Research dissemination: Three-minute thesis, conference poster or lay summary
| Intent: | The purpose of this task is to enable students to demonstrate their skills to disseminate the findings of research. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 082, 087 and 090 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 4.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | The presentation will be up to 5-minutes (in 3-5 minutes) for one of the following with an additional 5-minutes for questions: Three-minute thesis – 3-minute presentation online with one slide following the standard format. A conference poster – to be prepared as a single Powerpoint slide (there is no expectation that a physical poster will be produced) A lay summary - 250 words |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 4: Final manuscript or dissertation (Must Pass)
| Intent: | The customary way to disseminate research outcomes is by publication. Students are required to report their research as a manuscript in a form fit for publication in a peer-reviewed journal OR to prepare a dissertation. The decision about the format of AT4 will be made between the supervisors and the student. For both types of assessment, supervisors work with their student to correct drafts and guide the process. This task demonstrates the student’s ability to complete a research project, apply their research findings to genetic counselling and write up the process. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 081, 082, 083, 087, 088, 089 and 094 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 5.2 |
| Type: | Thesis |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | Manuscript and reflexive account: As specified in the Instructions to Authors for the targeted journal. Students must follow all instructions to authors. It is the supervisor’s responsibility that the manuscript length is reasonable and appropriate for the task. Reflexive account 500 words +/- 10% OR Dissertation: An abstract of to 300 words and a dissertation of up 8 to 10,000 words (not including references). |
| Criteria: | This is a "must pass" assessment with a minimum 50% grade required To be submitted via Turnitin Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this Subject, students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of all block and mandatory ‘live and online’ classes and submit all assessment tasks.
Total pass grade or higher for the subject
Pass grade or higher for all must pass assessments
100% attendance at all research supervision meetings
Required texts
Policy for Assessment of Coursework Subjects
Procedures for assessment of Coursework Subjects
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)