Assessor Resource

CULINS501A
Research and analyse information to meet customer needs

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit applies to individuals working in library and information services contexts who respond to complex information needs. They may be working in public, corporate or institutional libraries, record management units, government departments, tourist information centres or community advisory organisations.

Work is undertaken autonomously, with limited guidance from others.

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to provide customers with access to diverse and complex sources of information.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

analyse information to ensure suitability to meet customer needs

apply knowledge of the organisation’s reference, research and general collections

apply knowledge of types and scope of databases and other accessible reference tools

define, locate, analyse and evaluate information

effectively interview, communicate and negotiate with customers about information needs

respond to complex and varied information requests

use effective search techniques using a range of print and electronic information sources and tools

work within time constraints that reflect industry practice and standards.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

use of current industry systems and equipment

interaction with others to reflect the communication and negotiation aspects of this unit

access to:

relevant policies and procedures documents

a range of information sources and information systems.

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 onthejob performance

evaluation of candidate’s response to different scenarios to assess ability to research, analyse and present information in response to a range of complex requests

review of reports prepared by the candidate in response to a particular information need

review of reports prepared by the candidate detailing the development of strategies to respond to a given need, including challenges faced and how these were overcome.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

CULRSK501A Monitor compliance with copyright and licence requirements.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

analytical and evaluation skills to determine relevance and reliability of information

communication skills to:

liaise with customers

discuss complex ideas and concepts

initiative and enterprise skills to:

expedite search processes and minimise costs

find the most efficient and effective way of responding to a range of complex information requests from customers

information literacy skills to access and use a wide range of complex information sources

problemsolving skills to assess and select strategies to locate hard to find information

research skills to undertake complex searches and information analysis

self-management skills to:

follow workplace procedures

prioritise work tasks and meet deadlines

technology skills to:

assist customers to use different searching tools

use current information services industry technology.

Required knowledge

scope and range of available information sources available in print and electronic formats, including databases and technologies, such as current and emerging web applications

techniques for searching and retrieving information from a range of sources, including the internet and other electronic sources

strategies for obtaining information from external agencies or specialist organisations

range of available delivery options for presentation of information resources

legal considerations relating to accessing information sources, such as:

privacy

copyright

licensing agreements

bibliographic standards

reference sources and databases, both print and online

protocols associated with culturally sensitive material, including Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural material.

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.

Nature of information needsmay relate to:

commercial sensitivities and implications

degree of specialist assistance required

delivery or presentation method

level, detail and currency of information

purpose of requests

required formats

special requirements

timeframes

topic or subject definitions.

Level of complexity may relate to:

availability in print or electronic formats

clarifying customer requirements

content

need for sophisticated packaging or presentation of information

obscure or difficult to obtain nature of information

purpose for which information is being obtained

scope of information request

specialised access protocols

specialised nature of information

wide range of information sources, tools and access possibilities

wide range of information to which access is required by customers.

Complex search strategies may relate to:

availability of current information

commercial sensitivity of search processes

complexity of the subject field, its concepts and methodologies

cost implications

difficulty of finding or obtaining information

information belonging to a new or developing field where sources are not well-established

limited access to print and electronic resources

missing, vague or conflicting information

variety of possible sources requiring judgement about the best options.

Review and revisemay include:

changing search terms or using different combinations of search terms

changing to another topic due to lack of resources

limiting by date of publication, language, and country of publication

limiting by format

narrowing or broadening topics

revising list of keywords or phrases

use of Boolean operators.

Access may relate to:

constantly changing conditions

high cost of electronic databases or datasets

network interfaces that are not user friendly

poor organisation of information

varying quality.

Information sources may be:

biographical sources

books

conference proceedings

databases

discussion papers

e-books

e-journals

geographical sources

internet websites

items in library collection

items obtained through interlibrary loan or document supply/delivery options

local, state and government agencies

newspaper or journal articles

periodic indexing databases

print or electronic formats

reports

scientific or technical journals

statistical information from sources, such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)

working papers.

Search techniquesmay include:

basic and advanced catalogue searches

combined searches using federated search engines across multiple databases

internet searches

limiting search parameters by criteria, such as:

date

format

language

place of publication

reviewing and revising search terms

searching electronic databases using basic or advanced search features

searching one database at a time

searching other library catalogues

seeking assistance from colleagues or external organisations.

Packaging and presentation of information may include:

annotated bibliographies

articles supplied through document delivery services

electronic copies sent as email attachments

physical copies of information resources

presentation of information or resources in person to customer

printed or electronic copies of newspaper or journal articles

providing explanation of search strategy

reference lists or bibliographies

resources in audiovisual or multimedia formats.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine complete nature of information needs with reference to relevant documentation or information from customers 
Conduct reference interviews with customers to determine specific information needs, including level, type and amount of information required 
Confirm with customers the level of complexity of their information needs 
Formulate complex search strategies using sound knowledge of a broad range of potential information sources 
Identify and assess customer expectations in relation to available resources and likely constraints 
Advise customers of likely outcomes of information search and possible delivery options 
Review and revise search terms or topics in consultation with customers 
Take access to information sources into account when evaluating different search strategies 
Select and prioritise information sources 
Evaluate and select logical and reasonable strategies to locate difficult to find information 
Consult with colleagues, as required, to identify appropriate information sources 
Use effective search techniques to locate relevant information 
Assist customers to actively participate in search processes through practical demonstration of information-seeking skills 
Assess information obtained for its validity, reliability and suitability in relation to customer requirements and expectations 
Ensure appropriate packaging and presentation of information to meet customer requirements and expectations, ensuring inclusion of relevant support information 
Communicate with customers in relation to problems, difficulties, suitable alternatives or followup requirements 
Observe cultural sensitivities, ethics, privacy and copyright issues and obligations in meeting customer requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

CULINS501A - Research and analyse information to meet customer needs
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

CULINS501A - Research and analyse information to meet customer needs

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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