There is widespread interest in and uptake of qualitative forms of inquiry across healthcare professions, including genetic counselling. Despite this, there are limited qualitative research training opportunities and much of the work being produced may not reach the quality threshold needed to be useful for informing evidence-based practice. Methodological coherence is a tool that can be used to enhance quality. It is defined as the alignment of the major elements of a research study (e.g. research question, methods/methodology, presentation of results) with the philosophical assumptions underpinning the research. This webinar will cover topics to enhance awareness of methodological coherence when reading, taking up qualitative research findings as an end-user, appraising qualitative research as a reviewer, and as researchers planning, conducting, and supervising qualitative research. By improving understanding of qualitative research paradigms and methodological coherence and providing strategies for ensuring coherence, this webinar will prepare attendees to engage in meaningful and rigorous qualitative inquiry.

Presented by: 
1. Dr. Tasha Wainstein, PhD, MSc (Med), CCGC

Date: April 2, 2025  

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the key philosophical underpinnings of qualitative research (i.e., ontology, epistemology, axiology, methodology) and their utility in guiding the conduct of genetic counselling research
2. Compare the major qualitative research paradigms (i.e., positivism, constructivism, critical theory, pragmatism) and their implications for knowledge generation in genetic counselling research
3. Describe important considerations involved in choosing a methodological approach for qualitative genetic counselling research
4. Appraise the quality and rigor of qualitative genetic counselling research using methodological coherence 

Continuing Education Unit Approval:

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to 1 Category 1 contact hours for From Paradigms to Practice: Methodological Coherence in Qualitative Genetic Counseling Research. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned at this program for the purposes of genetic counselor certification and recertification. 

Successful Completion:
1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation