Application
Dancers responsible for undertaking research as part of their studies or work apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They may conduct the research to inform the development of a dance piece for a class, audition or performance, deepen their knowledge of a particular topic, or to develop an independent piece of research.
Research is done under some supervision but given the nature of the task, autonomy can be expected.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Clarify research brief | 1.1. Confirm topic or content to be researched with relevant personnel, including deadline for completion 1.2. Determine issues and questions to be answered through research activity 1.3. Identify advantages and disadvantages of research and data-gathering techniques and choose those that best meet requirements 1.4. Discuss research ideas fully and constructively with relevant personnel and agree on format for presenting research findings |
2. Conduct research | 2.1. Identify appropriate sources of information on 2.2. Design research tools as required 2.3. Establish contact with a sufficiently wide and varied range of sources to optimise information gathering using appropriate research equipment 2.4. Approach relevant sources promptly and in a way most likely to elicit the required information 2.5. Adjust research strategies as required without compromising outcomes 2.6. Maintain accurate and comprehensive records and details of information sources using an appropriate record-keeping system |
3. Analyse and research findings | 3.1. Critically analyse and interpret research information 3.2. Develop a cohesive argument based on the analysis 3.3. Reference sources and develop a bibliography 3.4. Check facts to ensure their accuracy before including them in research findings 3.5. Make judgements about how much information to include in research findings and be clear on the rationale for doing so 3.6. Develop conclusions and recommendations as required in consultation with relevant personnel |
4. Present research | 4.1. Organise information logically and clearly in the agreed format 4.2. Present information to relevant personnel by agreed deadlines 4.3. Identify key issues for further research or discussion with relevant personnel 4.4. Seek feedback on the quality of research outcomes and note areas for improvement |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication and teamwork skills to:
present information and research findings in a way that is easily understood by others
use industry and community networks as sources of information
negotiate changes to research briefs
work with relevant personnel to clarify a research brief and discuss research ideas
initiative and flexibility skills to:
follow new leads in the course of research activities
respond to difficulties encountered during the course of research activities
apply research findings to contemporary dance practice and develop positions in relation to the research
planning and writing skills to:
organise information logically and in line with its intended purpose
document research findings clearly and concisely
analytical and literacy skills to interpret and summarise information and research findings
self-management skills to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Required knowledge
contemporary dance practice
effective communication techniques, including:
effective listening
questioning
non-verbal cues
legal issues that affect research activities, such as:
copyright
intellectual property and privacy legislation
features of commonly used quantitative and qualitative research methodologies
protocols to be observed when collecting information of a culturally sensitive nature
OHS standards as they relate to working for periods of time on computers.
Evidence Required
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: clarify research briefs gather reliable and valid information from a range of sources in response to research briefs document findings on a range of topics presented in an appropriate format by agreed deadlines articulate ideas in a formal presentation. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: a computer, the internet, information collection software and other research equipment information sources appropriate learning and assessment support when required. |
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 third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance evaluation of research findings prepared in response to a range of briefs case studies and scenarios as a basis for discussion of issues and challenges that arise in the context of researching contemporary dance concepts verbal or written questioning to test knowledge as listed in the required skills and knowledge section of this unit and to determine candidate's approach to conducting research. Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties, such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling). |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: BSBCRT401A Articulate, present and debate ideas CUAWRT501A Write about dance CUVRES401A Undertake historical and theoretical research to inform own arts practice. |
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.
Topic or content | history and development of western theatre dance from early 19th century to present day lineages that influenced the development of dance forms in Australia sociopolitical contexts of ballet and modern or contemporary dance in western culture aesthetic characteristics and philosophies of selected choreographers critical approach to creation of dance works in the context of: gender class ethnicity historical change diversity of perspectives in contexts of dance through time characteristics of various styles of dance, such as: Court Ballet Romanticism Russian Classicalism Ballet Russes modern ballet early modernism in German and the USA modern dance African American dance post-modern dance review of dance performances analysis of how different concepts of contemporary dance may be used, adopted or challenged within dance practice contemporary dance practitioners. |
Relevant personnel | teacher manager client colleague other performer production and technical staff. |
Advantages | desk research: inexpensive permits examination of trends over past observation: provides more detailed and context-related information permits collection of information on facts not mentioned in an interview permits tests of reliability of responses to questionnaires interviewing: suitable for use with those with literacy difficulties permits clarification of questions has higher response rate than written questionnaires questionnaires or surveys (hard copy or online): less expensive permits anonymity and may result in more honest responses eliminates bias participant observation: provides rich data may have positive spin offs of knowledge and skills by researchers and informants. |
Disadvantages | desk research: data not always easily accessible ethical issues concerning confidentiality may arise information may be inaccurate observation: ethical issues concerning privacy observer bias may occur presence of observer can bias result interviewing: interviewer bias may result presence of interviewer can influence response questionnaires: not appropriate for those with literacy issues low rate of response online surveys rely on people having access to and feeling comfortable with responding online misunderstanding of questions being asked participant observation: participant can influence behaviour of others usually requires extra training for researcher. |
Research and data gathering techniques | qualitative, such as: observation, including participant observation interviews attending dance performances quantitative, such as: questionnaires surveys. |
Format for presenting research findings | audio and visual presentations interactive media presentations verbal briefings, talks or presentations written reports. |
Sources of information | dance texts and anthologies historical texts libraries, such as: text film video sound graphic government departments museums and galleries archives media archives enterprise policies, procedures and journals journal articles newspaper reviews internet images stories personal observations and experience interviews with dance practitioners attendance at performances. |
Information | dance history and criticism aesthetics diversity of style and forms signs and symbols myths and legends technical aspects of performances new technologies spiritual concerns cultural issues politics gender and identity issues. |
Research tools | questions for personal interviews or focus groups surveys, such as: online telephone observation checklists journal notes of performances. |
Research equipment | telecommunication equipment, such as: telephone mobile phones pagers fax machine computers with internet access answering machine photocopier computer and software, such as: word processing spreadsheet database calculator tape recorder camcorder mini DV tapes. |
Record keeping | electronic, such as: databases spreadsheets statistical software applications manual, such as card index file. |
Critical analysis may include: | comparing contrasting reflecting critiquing discussion and debate. |
Sectors
Performing arts - research
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.