Course Title: Collect and manage data

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: MATH7058C

Course Title: Collect and manage data

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5305 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Peter Homan
email: peter.homan@rmit.edu.au

Please note that Peter is a sessional teacher and is only at RMIT on Mondays. He may not be able to respond promptly to your emails. 
Please contact Judi Mc Cann if the matter is urgent

Nominal Hours: 120

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This competency standard covers the process of collecting, analysing and managing data.
It requires the ability to determine the type and extent of data to be collected, access and collate data, evaluate data,
manage, analyse and retrieve data. Collecting and managing data requires knowledge of data collection techniques and procedures,
data recording and evaluation techniques, data analysis and data storage and retrieval methods.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

AHCWRK502A Collect and manage data

Element:

1. Determine the type and extent of data to be collected

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Data requirements are clearly defined and communicated to all staff involved in data collection.
1.2. Relevant data sources are identified.
1.3. Type and extent of data required is clearly defined.
1.4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with data collecting are identified.
1.5. Data collection methods and techniques are clearly defined relative to data requirements.
 

Element:

2. Access and collate data

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Data collection sheets are formatted to assist collection.
2.2. Data is researched and/or collected from field sources according to enterprise guidelines and with standard research approaches.
2.3. Data is collated by appropriate electronic means.
2.4. Appropriateness of data is monitored and recorded during collection.
2.5. Information is researched using appropriate methods and technologies.
2.6. Sources of information are regularly reviewed for usefulness, validity, reliability and cost.
2.7. Channels and sources of information are used effectively.
2.8. Opportunities are taken to establish and maintain contacts with those who may provide useful information.
2.9. Appropriate OHS requirements and work practices are followed.
 

Element:

3. Evaluate data

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Data collected is relevant, valid and sufficient.
3.2. Where data is unclear or difficult to interpret, clarification and assistance is sought.
3.3. Where data is inadequate, additional data is obtained.
3.4. Information is analysed for its validity and reliability.
 

Element:

4. Manage and retrieve data

Performance Criteria:

4.1. Data is stored by appropriate electronic means.
4.2. Data is presented using appropriate graphical aids and techniques.
4.3. Data is assembled and provided to the manager/client as required and in accordance with standard research approaches.
4.4. Data is retrieved as required.
4.5. New methods of recording and storing data are suggested/introduced as needed.
 

Element:

5. Analyse and interpret data

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Data is analysed using appropriate statistical and analytical techniques.
5.2. Data is interpreted to determine its significance, validity and reliability.
5.3. Findings based on the analysis and interpretation of the data is reported.
5.4. Data is organised into a suitable report format to aid decision-making.
5.5. Conclusions drawn are based on reasoned argument and appropriate evidence.
 

Learning Outcomes


  • Data is researched using appropriate methods and technologies.
  • Data is collected from scientific sources and in the field.
  • Data collected is analysed for relevance and validity.
  • Data is stored by electronic means.
  • Data is assembled and provided to client as required to industry standard.
  • Data is analysed using appropriate statistical and analytical techniques.
  • Findings based on analysis and interpretation are reported.


Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities are broken into two distinct areas.

During the first semester students will receive training in methods and techniques used by industry and researchers to conduct field surveys of mammals, reptiles and frogs. You will also learn how to produce a short report for your client (in this case Parks Victoria) on the results of your field study. Techniques for analysing, evaluating and interpreting vertebrate data will also be taught.

During the second semester students will receive training in methods and techniques used by industry and researchers to conduct field surveys of freshwater macroinvertebrates and fish. You will also learn basic skills for testing the quality of water. You will learn how to produce a full scientific report for your client (in this case the City of Whittlesea) on the results of your wetland study. Techniques for analysing, evaluating and interpreting macroinvertebrate fauna and fish will also be taught. 


Teaching Schedule

Semester 1: 2014
Monday 24/2:  Preparation for first field trip. Training in safety, animal ethics and techniques for surveying vertebrate fauna.
Monday 3/3 - Thursday 6/3: Four day field trip to Eumeralla section of the Great Otway National Park .
Monday 17/3: Follow-up to field trip. Report writing instructions.
Monday 24/3: Data analysis & interpretation. Statistics.
Monday 31/3: Data analysis & interpretation. Reliable data. Evaluating data.
Monday 7/4: Data anaysis & interpretation. Databases

Semester 2:
Monday 7/7: Introduction.
Monday 14/7: Understanding freshwater ecosystems. Physical/chemical testing of water.
Monday 21/7: Freshwater macroinvertebrates & fish.
Friday 1/8: All day field trip to Growling Frog Golf Course.
Monday 4/8: Follow-up to field trip. Report writing.
Monday 11/8: Using Excel.
Monday 18/8: Data analysis & interpretation. Statistics.
Monday 25/8: Data analysis & interpretation. Reliable data. Evaluating data.
Monday 1/9: All day field trip to Laurimar wetlands, Doreen.
Monday 8/9: Follow-up to first field trip.
Monday 15/9: All day field trip to Laurimar wetlands.
Monday 22/9: No classes - student vacation.
Monday 29/9: Follow-up to first second field trip.
Monday 6/10: No class (Wonthaggi field trip - second year students) 
Monday 13/10: All day field trip to Laurimar wetlands.
Monday  20/10: 9.30 - 12.30. Follow-up to Laurimar field trips.  
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

To view Peter Homan’s published research papers go to "Google Scholar" and put "Peter Homan fauna" in the search field. You will see several papers on the ecology of mammals, reptiles and frogs.


Overview of Assessment

 

  • Collect data on vertebrate fauna and freshwater macroinvertebrate fauna.
  • Prepare reports for clients (2 assessments).
  • Analyse, evaluate and interpret data following field trips (2 assessments). 


Assessment Tasks

There are three assessments in semester 1 and three in semester 2.

Semester 1:
Assessment 1. Collect data on vertebrate fauna during field trip to Eumeralla section of Great Otway National Park, Anglesea. Assessment conducted on field trip.
Assessment 2. (Graded) Produce a short report for client (Parks Victoria) on results of field study. Due date for lodgement of this task:  Tuesday 29/4/2014. 
Assessment 3. Ten questions on analysing, evaluating and interpreting data from Great Otway National Park. Due date for lodgement of this task: Tuesday 29/4/2014.

Semester 2:
Assessment 1. Collect data on freshwater macroinvertebrate fauna and fish at two wetland sites on the northern outskirts of Melbourne. Assessment conducted on four field trips.
Assessment 2. (Graded) Produce a full scientific report for client (City of Whittlesea) on results of wetland study. Due date for lodgement of this task: Monday 20/10/2014.
Assessment 3. Ten questions on analysing, evaluating and interpreting data from wetland sites. Due date for lodgement of this task: Monday 20/10/2014. 


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Nominal hours:

Fieldwork - 57 hours

Classroom - 45 hours

Assignment work - 18 hours

Total - 120 hours

Course Overview: Access Course Overview