Elements and Performance Criteria
- Review existing knowledge
- Examine existing information gathered through investigation and enterprise recording processes to determine key features
- Review oral evidence, where it exists
- Inspect sites to assess condition and availability of further information
- Identify information, records and places previously destroyed or damaged or under threat as factors to be incorporated in the assessment process, strategies and plans
- Assess scope of information for adequacy against the requirements of legislation, Codes of Practice, Burra Charter guidelines and protocols
- Identify appropriate database, geographic information system and other electronic and manual recording systems for data collection
- Identify and access sources of expertise in research environments, identification of pollution, degradation and disturbance, and national and international issues and agreements within and external to the enterprise
- Identify and record areas of inadequate information
- Identify stakeholders
- Identify stakeholders in conjunction with local Communities and groups, and government documentation and interviews under the direction of a relevant cultural reference group
- Investigate and record the current and relevant past land tenure for the place/area
- Determine Indigenous interests through culturally appropriate approaches to regional and Community organisations and individuals
- Apply proper protocols and conduct key consultations approaches to regional and Community organisations and individuals
- Comply with privacy requirements according to the directions of stakeholders and legislative and enterprise requirements
- Develop research approach
- Determine objectives of the field research in conjunction with those commissioning the research
- Use objectives to identify specific types of investigation, techniques to be used, and physical areas of investigation
- Assess the types of investigation and techniques selected for hazards and risks in designated environment, including the work health and safety requirements, access issues, and management of the research in a range of weather and area conditions
- Review existing information and data records to determine the starting points for the fieldwork
- Ensure research methodology is consistent with the research objectives and in accordance with established natural resource management practice
- Identify required resources to establish and maintain the research program within the required time schedules and ensure they are appropriate to the environments that will be encountered
- Select personnel for their competency in research techniques and safe operation in the expected environmental and cultural conditions
- Identify stakeholders to be included in the consultation process
- Estimate and submit costs of field research for approval
- Establish sampling and recording processes for research information according to best practice and scientific standards
- Ensure investigations comply with Burra Charter guidelines and other legislative requirements.
- Conduct field investigations
- Undertake consultation and fieldwork to obtain information required to meet investigation objectives
- Follow work health and safety, environmental sustainability and biosecurity policies and procedures when working in field
- Adjust previously determined methodology in light of progressive results and stakeholder feedback
- Coordinate observations, records and monitoring in accordance with scientific practice and to meet research objectives
- Determine ecological, biological and geological, microbiological and entomological diversity within specified area
- Identify and record evidence of cultural resources in area
- Identify impacts from areas external to natural and cultural resources in area under investigation
- Deploy equipment, techniques and people to carry out investigations
- Document and approve each field operation according to legislative and enterprise requirements for work in the research environment
- Source appropriate equipment and skills for the capture, management and sampling of animal species
- Analyse information for impact on previously held hypothesis and other resources
- Develop process for involving decision-makers
- Use information on stakeholders to determine interests held by organisations, groups and individuals and cultural dimensions
- Define issues to be addressed with interest groups
- Develop consultation and decision-making process to address the issues with individuals, groups and organisations in a culturally appropriate manner
- Provide appropriate time for consultative processes within groups and between individuals to occur and to obtain feedback on issues
- Form a decision-making group, such as cultural reference groups and other groups, where assistance is required to direct investigation, access information to address issues or review the significance of place or area
- Report on the field investigation
- Consult stakeholders on draft findings
- Document the basis for the determination of outcomes to legislative requirements, the organisation's policies and practices, and international and national processes
- Submit the determination of significance report to the organisation and its external review processes as required by legislation and Codes of Practice