Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Applied research purpose may be contained in documents such as:
agreements
research brief
research contracts
research guidelines
research statement.
Target group may include:
community
content and media provider
end users
equipment vendor
government authority
investors
regulator
society
statutory authority
sustainability auditors
telecommunications service provider
user groups.
Factors affecting reliability and validity may include:
access appropriate population
authenticity and reliability of data sources
capacity to generalise findings across the whole population
sample size
type or survey used to increase validity.
Applied research strategy may cover:
analysis of industry specific trends, statistics and issues
collection of data to assist informed decision making, planning or risk management
data and information relating to strategy, policy, practices, or work processes developed and implemented by an organisation
formation of solutions to complex problems
information and analysis needed to develop a campaign, strategic plan, industry or sector plan and strategy, or to bargain effectively with employers
information and analysis to conduct a strategic or community campaign or activity
relationship or relevance of a theory, principle or practice to an immediate practical problem, issue or to test a proposed solution.
Applied research methods and theories may cover:
methods such as:
action research
case study
experience and intuition
experiments
interviews
mathematical models and simulations
participant observation
surveys
statistical data analysis
statistical surveys
content, textual analysis, theories and techniques, which will vary upon consideration of:
application of statistical methods
causal factors and dependant or independent variables
critical analysis
experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental
mathematical calculations
problem solving
qualitative or quantitative research
sampling and sample size.
Data collection techniques may include:
collaboration with other experts or mentors
desk research
document research
field study
observation
physical items analysis
interviews
questionnaires
surveys.
Appropriate sources of information may include:
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS)
discussions with current industry practitioners and manufacturers
energy and climate change reports and policies
government departments
industry associations and organisations
industry standards
AS/NZ3598:2000 (or latest revision):
Level 1 consumption benchmark
Level 2 preliminary assessment
Level 3 economic analysis
BS EN 16001:2009 Energy Management Systems
ISO 14001:2004 Environment
industry journals
Kyoto protocol documentation
organisational policies, procedures and journals
personal observations and experience
professional organisations
research papers, technical publications and manuals
web data from research establishments and universities.
Sustainable management principles may include:
audit waste management procedures
improving efficiency of ICT network equipment:
reducing air conditioning requirements
shutting down of equipment during low demand and prolonged idle times
procurement strategies:
assessment of suppliers' environmental policies and procedures
lowering of energy consumption or environmental impact of replacement products or services
managing the environmental impacts of electrical and electronic equipment
use of energy consumption and environmental impact as criteria in the process of awarding contracts
supply chain:
driving ethical values through the supply chain
engaging supplier's involvement in emissions reporting and continual improvement
engaging suppliers who provide information on energy consumption and product life cycles
influencing suppliers to provide energy efficient products and services
total life cycle (TLC) analysis of product, processes and services.
Relevance of the research may be based on:
available time and resources
feasibility of implementing the recommendations
findings of previous and current research
original research parameters and brief
quality and credibility of the methodology
value of its usefulness
value of the information and data.
Legal requirements may include:
agreements with third parties that supply research or data
competency standards
contracts
copyright and privacy laws relating to physical materials and electronic technology
licensing
plagiarism
privacy
relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, policy, codes of practice and national standards
security of information.
Research findings may include:
circulating publications for comment and critique on the internet
contributing to strategic policy
drafting publications or reports
presentations at seminars and conferences
providing data, plans, specifications and reports resulting in changed work practice/s or design/s
providing internal reports verbally, in writing or via presentations
publishing papers and articles for expert review and audiences
publishing reports and articles for lay audiences.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
lead the formulation of a research proposal or plan which includes:
specific research questions on sustainability
valid population or sample size
description of the geographical, cultural, social or institutional context within which the research will be carried out
full description of the data collection methods
analysis of the limitations to research design
lead the design of an applied research project using appropriate tools and techniques
design a research report with analysis of data, and valid and reliable findings
evaluate relevance of the research results
apply knowledge of applied research techniques.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
research activity that relates to an actual workplace or simulated context and topic
range of tools and techniques appropriate to the given situations and research topic.
Methods of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
review of projects relating to conducting applied research conducted by the candidate
direct observation of the candidate applying research skills
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of applied research.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTSUS8238A Conduct and manage a life cycle assessment for sustainability.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.