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:
age cohort
career choices
cultural background and needs
diversity
employees
employment status or role
end users
learners/students
learning styles and preferences
level of education achieved
literacy and numeracy skills
location
occupational health and safety
predetermined service user group
skill or competency profile
socioeconomic background
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
Factors affecting reliability and validity may include:
sample size
type or survey used (e.g. comparing types and methods to increase validity)
capacity to generalise findings across the whole population
access appropriate population
Hypothesis is:
conceptual or operational proposition or explanation that will be tested through the conduct of the applied research
Tools may be:
designed for electronic or physical presentation
involve a range of technologies (online or computer-based)
Resources may include:
components required
design specifications
infrastructure
monetary
physical
technical manuals
samples
Applied research methods and theories may cover:
methods such as:
action research
case study
classification
experience and intuition
experiments
interviews
map making
mathematical models and simulations
participant observation
physical traces analysis
semiotics
surveys
statistical data analysis
statistical surveys
ethnographic research
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
Suitable technology may include:
communication technology and networks
databases and the use of spreadsheets, graphs, trend and time series, and mathematical equations
hardware and software
Appropriate sources of information may include:
archives
community organisations
computer data, including internet
discussions with current industry practitioners
discussions with industry personnel, manufacturers, and technical and sales personnel
government departments
industry associations and organisations
industry journals
libraries (such as text, film, video, sound, graphic)
media (such as film, television, radio, newspapers, multimedia)
media archives
museums, galleries
organisational policies, procedures and journals
personal observations and experience
professional organisations
reference books
technical publications, manuals
Contributors may include:
individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation who have some direct interest or expertise in relation to the applied research or who provide data
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 and state/territory legislation, policy, codes of practice and national standards
security of information
Presenting 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 following is essential:
formulating a research proposal or plan which includes:
specific research questions or hypotheses
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
designing an applied research project using appropriate tools and techniques
research report with analysis of data, and valid and reliable findings
utility and relevance of the research results
knowledge of applied research techniques.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
research activity relates to an actual workplace or simulated context and topic
competence is consistently demonstrated over time, over a range of applied topics, and using a range of tools and techniques appropriate to the given situations and research topic.
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
applied projects or assessment activities relating to conducting applied research
observation of contextual application of 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:
BSBITB701A Implement advanced electronic technologies
BSBLED702A Lead learning strategy implementation
BSBLED703A Implement improved learning practice
BSBLED704A Review enterprise e-learning systems and solutions implementation
BSBLED709A Identify and communicate trends in career development.