This unit may apply in a range of community service contexts

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Initiate research efforts

1.1 Identify and define need for further research and develop proposals in consultation with relevant stakeholders

1.2 Develop research concepts, designs and proposals and test with relevant stakeholders according to needs, timeframes, resources and desired outcomes

1.3 Assess feasibility of research proposals against determined criteria

1.4 Provide opportunities to encourage participation in research activities

1.5 Incorporate issues related to ethics, validity and reliability in research designs

2. Identify and acquire resources

2.1 Devise and implement strategies to obtain and use necessary human, financial and physical resources to achieve research outcomes

2.2 Make written and oral submissions to obtain the resources, addressing standard requirements for funding and usual organisation practice

3. Supervise research being undertaken

3.1 Implement work plan and budget, considering resource and time constraints, and negotiate with all research workers and participants, if relevant

3.2 Regularly monitor progress against the work plan and budget and make changes as necessary

3.3 Create and act on opportunities for feedback, support, advice and debriefing for research workers to ensure quality outcomes

3.4 Create opportunities for stakeholders to evaluate research findings and process

4. Interpret and act on analysis of research

4.1 Derive recommendations from analysis of the research to address desired outcomes

4.2 Test validity and reliability of research findings against original research plan and confirm with key stakeholders

4.3 Where appropriate, make recommendations for actioning research results

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit.

Essential knowledge:

The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include knowledge of:

Management of research models/practices

Project management models/practices

Research ethics and codes of conduct

Consultation models/practices

Resource management models/practices

People management models/practices

Essential skills:

It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to:

Design research

Interpret and analyse research

Complete submission process

Manage people in a research environment

In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role

These include the ability to:

Develop consultation protocols

Facilitate consultation

Demonstrate application of skills in:

high level communication

negotiation

management of equipment, materials funding

use of technology

analysis

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate this unit of competency:

The individual being assessed must provide evidence of specified essential knowledge as well as skills

This unit is most appropriately assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions
This may include the use of languages other than English and alternative communication systems

Assessment must include evidence of all aspects of managing research activities

Access and equity considerations:

All workers in community services should be aware of access, equity and human rights issues in relation to their own area of work

All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment

In recognition of particular issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities

Context of and specific resources for assessment:

This unit can be assessed independently, however holistic assessment practice with other community services units of competency is encouraged

Resource requirements for assessment of this unit include access to:

an appropriate workplace where assessment can take place, or simulation of realistic workplace setting for assessment

Method of assessment:

Assessment may include observations, questioning and evidence gathered from the workplace

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.

The contexts for initiating and coordinating research include:

Preparation of a range of data:

policy making

strategic planning

marketing

service development and delivery

Initiate research will be carried out and coordinated within requirements established by:

Research codes of ethics and protocols

Organisation mission, outcomes and objectives

Organisation's program standards

State and commonwealth legislation

Key stakeholders

Criteria to assess the research proposal will include:

The size and nature of the research sample i.e. Who and how many will be researched

Research methods

Purpose of research and for whom

The human, financial and physical resources required

The nature and scope of the information to be gathered

The timetable

Evaluate research will be based on:

The value of its usefulness

The feasibility of implementing the recommendations

The findings of previous and current research

Available time and resources

The value of the information and data

The quality and credibility of the methodology

Resources will include:

Specialist researchers

Funding

Previous research data written, oral and audio-visual sources

Equipment e.g. computer, electronic recording equipment etc

Funding proposals will include:

Submissions

Tenders

Expressions of interest

Sponsorship

Fee for service

Contracting

Funding sources can include:

Government state and federal

Philanthropic agencies

Private business and sponsorship

Bequests, donations and other private grants

Money raised by fundraising events

Sale of resources

Support and promotion will include:

The promotion and dissemination of information about the benefits of the research

Organisation of meetings/forums for broader involvement and interaction with stakeholders

Recruitment of people with research skills and experience

Recruitment of resources and funding

This unit contains Employability Skills