Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:36 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:36 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Analyse and describe information materials
Analyse and describe information materials
Unit of competency
National Code
CULLB505C
CULLB505C
State Code
D1786
D1786
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/09/2008
Field of Education
091301 - Librarianship And Information Management
Original Release Date
19/09/2008
Nominal Hours
100
Description
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to analyse and describe material by indexing and abstracting the content and format of materials to ensure the efficient retrieval of information by customers.No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Identify description requirements
- 1.1 Identify scope and likely uses of material
- 1.2 Assess customer requirements or expectations, including potential special needs
- 1.3 Determine appropriate type and structure of description
2 Analyse material
- 2.1 Use analysis and description tools, standards, precedents and techniques which are appropriate to the nature of the material
- 2.2 Analyse subject content of the material and clearly distinguish significant information from minor references
- 2.3 Integrate established general concepts and principles of description and knowledge of relevant standards and authorities
- 2.4 Ensure concepts derived from analysis of material are appropriate in the context of the subject field
3 Describe material and format description
- 3.1 Create description/s which represent concepts appropriately, and which reflect the overall purpose and intended use of the description
- 3.2 Conform format of description to general conventions and any special rules
- 3.3 Where required, develop accurate reference structure of descriptors to display relationships to assist customers
- 3.4 Where appropriate, enhance description to meet identified customer needs
4 Monitor and review analysis and description practices and procedures
- 4.1 In consultation with colleagues, undertake monitoring and review description practices and procedures regularly to ensure customer needs are being met and in response to industry developments
- 4.2 Take appropriate action within scope of individual responsibility to enhance description practices and procedures
- 4.3 Where required, check descriptions regularly for internal consistency and compliance with established structure, rules and authorities
subject matter
available time
available space
probable types of users, e.g. professional, educational, recreational
express brief or document format
access
current awareness
retrospective inquiry
description of contents of materials
translation from one language to another
SCIS Subject Headings and thesauri
LCSH Library of Congress Subject Headings
indicative
informative
critical
assigned from a prescribed list or thesaurus, e.g. ERIC, AEI
taken from pre-existing formulations
derived from text or context
formulated to meet identified customers needs
alphabetically
numerically
alphanumerically
taxonomically
chronologically
according to traditional rules or conventions
bibliographic organisation/descriptions
geographic descriptions
surveys
customer feedback
statistics
available time
available space
probable types of users, e.g. professional, educational, recreational
express brief or document format
access
current awareness
retrospective inquiry
description of contents of materials
translation from one language to another
SCIS Subject Headings and thesauri
LCSH Library of Congress Subject Headings
indicative
informative
critical
assigned from a prescribed list or thesaurus, e.g. ERIC, AEI
taken from pre-existing formulations
derived from text or context
formulated to meet identified customers needs
alphabetically
numerically
alphanumerically
taxonomically
chronologically
according to traditional rules or conventions
bibliographic organisation/descriptions
geographic descriptions
surveys
customer feedback
statistics
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to appropriately use tools, standards and communication skills to analyse and describe material appropriately
knowledge of principles of subject access
demonstration of skills using current industry systems to analyse and describe a range of different materials.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to relevant policies and procedures manuals
access to relevant thesauri and database programs.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
evaluation of appropriateness of descriptions created by the candidate and adaptations to suit different types of information
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of standards and tools.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULLB506C Catalogue and classify material.
Evidence of the following is essential:
ability to appropriately use tools, standards and communication skills to analyse and describe material appropriately
knowledge of principles of subject access
demonstration of skills using current industry systems to analyse and describe a range of different materials.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
access to relevant policies and procedures manuals
access to relevant thesauri and database programs.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
evaluation of appropriateness of descriptions created by the candidate and adaptations to suit different types of information
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of standards and tools.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULLB506C Catalogue and classify material.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C7140 | CULLB505B | Analyse and describe information materials | Unit of competency |
| C1498 | CULLB503A | Organise information for client access | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D9422 | CULINM501A | Analyse and describe information resources | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C726 | CUL60104 | Advanced Diploma of Library-Information Services | Qualification |