Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to use applied research to improve individual, team and organisational performance in the forest and wood products industry. It involves managing research activities and using techniques that provide quality information as a basis for organisational decision making.
The unit applies to senior managers across a range of forest and wood products industry workplaces and to operations of all sizes.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Construct an applied research strategy | 1.1 Clarify and confirm applied research purpose and needs of target group or subject. 1.2 Analyse and make allowance for factors affecting data reliability and validity. 1.3 Select suitable technology and services to support data collection and analysis. 1.4 Develop applied research strategy and hypothesis in line with available tools and resources. 1.5 Incorporate relevant research ethics and codes of conduct into strategy |
2. Implement research strategies | 2.1 Implement applied research strategy in line with research requirements and organisational policies and procedures 2.2 Collect and maintain data in a systematic manner. 2.3 Access appropriate sources of information relevant to research. 2.4 Optimise relevance of research by collecting relevant data and using analysis tools as appropriate. |
3. Assess findings | 3.1 Review data and research findings for validity and reliability. 3.2 Examine relevance of findings against original research strategy. 3.3 Evaluate how research findings can contribute to organisational decision making. 3.4 Present research findings to support organisational decision making in a style and format appropriate to audience needs. 3.5 Evaluate need for further research. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. They must be able to provide evidence that they can, for a given organisation, develop, implement and assess at least one research strategy that provides quality information as a basis for organisational decision making to improve individual, team or organisational performance.
The research focus may be self-identifed or provided as an existing applied research need.
Document a research strategy, including the following information:
purpose of the research
specific research questions or hypotheses
valid population or sample size
description of the geographical, cultural, social or institutional context within which the research will be carried out
data collection methods
factors affecting data reliability and validity
analysis of the limitations to research.
On completion of the data collection and analysis, write a report including the following:
purpose of the research
specific research questions or hypotheses
population or sample size
data collection methods
research findings
utility and relevance of research results
recommendations arising from research results.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstra knowledge of:
Purpose and key content of applicable commonwealth, state or territory privacy laws as they relate to handling and storing data and publicising information.
Purpose and key content of research codes of conduct.
Ethical considerations for analysing data and presenting findings based on evidence.
A range of data collection methods for conducting primary and secondary research.
Applied research techniques, tools and data storage methods.
Organisational processes for disseminating information on operation of research to optimise input.
Organisational policies and procedures for conducting applied research.
Organisation styles and formats for presenting reports.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
Computers, keyboards, printers and software used to collect and file research data and prepare research reports.
Organisational formats and style guides for the presentation of reports.
Organisational policies and procedures for conducting applied research.
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
Hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Reading skills to: | Interpret complex and unfamiliar information from a range of sources. |
Writing skills to: | Develop research reports requiring the presentation of precise complex information, using simple language structures for use by wide audiences. |
Planning and organising skills to: | Manage own timing and productivity to plan and implement a research strategy |
Technology skills to: | Use a computer, keyboard and software to collect and file research data and prepare research reports. |
Sectors
Common Technical