Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL924002 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Use laboratory application software

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL924002 - Use laboratory application software
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the ability to use and apply computer software in the laboratory, field and/or production plants for analysis and reporting.This unit of competency is applicable to technical officers and laboratory technicians in all industry sectors. It describes the application and use of software packages in the context of a laboratory or fieldwork. Typically this software would be for the storage, retrieval, analysis and display of information. There is no expectation that candidates would be able to customise the software to meet specific needs. While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL925001 Analyse data and report results

relevant MSL974000 series units of competency

relevant MSL975000 series units of competency

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of analysis tasks linking test results to the generation of reports by the candidate

review of simple statistical and/or graphical analysis of quality control data completed by the candidate.

Access is required to all instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

a computer network, personal computer or laptop

software packages that cover databases, spreadsheets, statistical analysis and simple graphics output

input and output data.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competency and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Data
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Access application software
  • Identify software required for the task
  • Open software from a personal computer or network terminal
  • Use information sources to locate details of software features and instructions for its use
       
Element: Use software for specified purposes
  • Input a range of scientific data into a computing system
  • Conduct searches for the retrieval of required data
  • Use application features for efficient computation
  • Construct data sets and databases for numerical and graphical analyses
       
Element: Produce reports of retrieved data and/or processed data
  • Analyse data using features of the software package
  • Select options for constructing data reports
  • Print the results of data analyses using features of the software package
  • Integrate data from diverse application software units in a report
  • Report the outcomes and rationale for database searches where appropriate
  • Reference data sources according to the style requirements of the workplace
       
Element: Perform simple record housekeeping
  • Maintain archived data according to workplace standard procedures
  • Maintain hard copy data according to workplace standard procedures
  • Apply approved antivirus software and standard quarantine procedures
       


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Access application software

1.1

Identify software required for the task

1.2

Open software from a personal computer or network terminal

1.3

Use information sources to locate details of software features and instructions for its use

2

Use software for specified purposes

2.1

Input a range of scientific data into a computing system

2.2

Conduct searches for the retrieval of required data

2.3

Use application features for efficient computation

2.4

Construct data sets and databases for numerical and graphical analyses

3

Produce reports of retrieved data and/or processed data

3.1

Analyse data using features of the software package

3.2

Select options for constructing data reports

3.3

Print the results of data analyses using features of the software package

3.4

Integrate data from diverse application software units in a report

3.5

Report the outcomes and rationale for database searches where appropriate

3.6

Reference data sources according to the style requirements of the workplace

4

Perform simple record housekeeping

4.1

Maintain archived data according to workplace standard procedures

4.2

Maintain hard copy data according to workplace standard procedures

4.3

Apply approved antivirus software and standard quarantine procedures

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

selecting the most appropriate software package for the task from the suite of software applications available

using software for the analysis, reporting and management of laboratory and field data and information, such as quality control and instrument performance characteristics

using software application features and instructions to input, save, analyse, sort, retrieve and display records and data

using in-house software manuals to augment skills and solve operational problems

using virus scanning software to protect in-house software and data.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

terminology associated with the software packages used in job role

basic knowledge of the types of spreadsheet, database and data analysis packages that are available

application of specific software package features to laboratory tasks relevant to job role

relationship between the protocol for data input and file storage of the data

general file and record maintenance

work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, 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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Access application software

1.1

Identify software required for the task

1.2

Open software from a personal computer or network terminal

1.3

Use information sources to locate details of software features and instructions for its use

2

Use software for specified purposes

2.1

Input a range of scientific data into a computing system

2.2

Conduct searches for the retrieval of required data

2.3

Use application features for efficient computation

2.4

Construct data sets and databases for numerical and graphical analyses

3

Produce reports of retrieved data and/or processed data

3.1

Analyse data using features of the software package

3.2

Select options for constructing data reports

3.3

Print the results of data analyses using features of the software package

3.4

Integrate data from diverse application software units in a report

3.5

Report the outcomes and rationale for database searches where appropriate

3.6

Reference data sources according to the style requirements of the workplace

4

Perform simple record housekeeping

4.1

Maintain archived data according to workplace standard procedures

4.2

Maintain hard copy data according to workplace standard procedures

4.3

Apply approved antivirus software and standard quarantine procedures

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes of practice, workplace standard procedures

Where reference is made to Australian/international standards, industry codes of practice or workplace standard procedures, the latest version must be used

Information sources

Information sources include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

printed and/or online manuals of workplace standard instructions

printed and/or online manuals for hardware and software

on-screen instructions embedded in the software

printed and/or online training materials that orient software to workplace needs

online networks and communities of practice

Software packages

Software packages include:

common applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases

graphical and statistical analysis applications

database and laboratory information management systems

Work health and safety (WHS) and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

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
Identify software required for the task 
Open software from a personal computer or network terminal 
Use information sources to locate details of software features and instructions for its use 
Input a range of scientific data into a computing system 
Conduct searches for the retrieval of required data 
Use application features for efficient computation 
Construct data sets and databases for numerical and graphical analyses 
Analyse data using features of the software package 
Select options for constructing data reports 
Print the results of data analyses using features of the software package 
Integrate data from diverse application software units in a report 
Report the outcomes and rationale for database searches where appropriate 
Reference data sources according to the style requirements of the workplace 
Maintain archived data according to workplace standard procedures 
Maintain hard copy data according to workplace standard procedures 
Apply approved antivirus software and standard quarantine procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL924002 - Use laboratory application software
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

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

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL924002 - Use laboratory application software

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

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: