University of Technology Sydney

96114 Research Project 2

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 2021 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health (GEM)
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. (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 well-developed research skills to enhance clinical practice through an ability to critically appraise literature and to answer clinical questions. (4.1)
  • Provide education about genetics and genomics to a wide variety of audiences. (5.1)
  • Embody the core tenets of the genetic counselling profession, demonstrating professional and ethical behaviour and positively responding to the changing technological environment. (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, a weekly live and online research drop-in is available for all students. In the weekly drop-in, there are no planned classes however students 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. Workshops are run for small groups of students where similar learning needs are identified. Where necessary, additional workshops are arranged outside of class time, similar to the supervision meetings. There is an extended two-hour live and online class in Week 11 for which attendance is mandatory.

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.

An optional weekly ‘live and online’ research drop-in will be available for all students. Students will 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

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, 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:

You will be assessed on:

  • Regular (at least 5 entries throughout the semester) completion of the Research ePortfolio, providing clear and succinct descriptions of research progress, problems and achievements.
  • The written reflection synthesising learning.
  • The ability to identify the tasks that need to be completed, organisation of work and communication with supervisors.

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas.

Assessment task 2: Results tables and figures and outline of discussion

Intent:

This task prepares students for the final assessment and enables detailed feedback to be provided that can be built on for the final dissertation.

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:

1.1, 1.2, 4.1 and 5.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

2,000 words

Criteria:

You will be assessed on:

  • The interpretation of your data
  • The clear, logical and accurate presentation of your data in tables and figures
  • Identification of the key discussion points arising from your data and the relevant literature that you will bring into your discussion

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, 5.1 and 5.2

Type: Presentation
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 10%
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:

  • the clarity and structure of your presentation
  • your presentation skills
  • the ability to pitch your research to the target audience

Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas.

Assessment task 4: Final dissertation

Intent:

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 and 5.2

Type: Thesis
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 50%
Length:

An abstract of to 300 words and a dissertation of up to 10,000 words not including references.

Criteria:

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)