Course Title: Use research evidence to advance policy and practice

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2014

Course Code: BUSM7839C

Course Title: Use research evidence to advance policy and practice

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C0045 - Vocational Graduate Certificate in Community Services Practice(Client assessment & case management)

Course Contact : Bronwyn Tanti

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 9079

Course Contact Email:bronwyn.tanti@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 60

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 required.

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required to use research into a specialist area of practice and apply evidence to advance policy and practice in that area. This course may apply to work in a range of community service contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCPOL701B Use research evidence to advance policy and practice

Element:

1.Evaluate current trends and practices

Performance Criteria:

1.1Maintain high level detailed knowledge of own area of practice
1.2Use a range of research techniques and information sources to identify current trends in own area of practice
1.3Identify appropriate criteria for evaluation of current practices, emerging trends and evidence of outcomes
1.4Analyse available research information and identify level, quality, relevance, strength and areas of uncertainty in evidence relating to area of practice
1.5Evaluate potential impact of research evidence for possible changes to advance policy and practice in own area of practice

Element:

2.Evaluate current practice in relation to evidence-based best practice

Performance Criteria:

2.1Identify specific components of own and organisation's practices to clarify apparent strengths and weaknesses in terms of organisation's strategic directions and objectives
2.2Identify appropriate criteria for evaluation of current policies and practices in relation to research evidence and identified best practice
2.3Undertake detailed and in-depth analysis and evaluation of own and/or organisation's current policies and practices in relation to identified best practice
2.4Determine factors contributing positively and negatively to policy implementation and achievement of desired practice outcomes

Element:

3.Identify potential changes to policy and practice

Performance Criteria:

3.1Use evidence from research and evaluation to identify potential areas for change in current policy and practice
3.2Identify constraints and issues in relation to implementing identified changes
3.3Develop a strategy for achieving and/or enhancing achievement of organisation's strategic practice objectives through changes to policy and/or practice
3.4Develop a detailed plan for implementing proposed strategy, including staged implementation as necessary
3.5Incorporate a communication plan and risk management plan into proposed implementation plan
3.6Ensure the plan includes key indicators to determine effectiveness of proposed strategy and allow for timely adjustments as required to maintain good practice

Element:

4.Implement and evaluate strategic changes in policy and practice

Performance Criteria:

4.1Identify key stakeholders and determine their role in implementation of the change strategy
4.2Maintain strong and targeted communication with stakeholders before and during implementation to ensure their understanding and support
4.3Conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation of changes to practice to ensure implementation continues to achieve appropriate outcomes
4.4Manage contingencies during the implementation in a manner than supports best practice and considers needs of impacts on identified stakeholders
4.5Maintain documentation of the process, outcomes and issues during implementation of the change strategy as a basis for ongoing learning and practice evaluation

Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of this course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

You will be involved in learning activities in a day long workshop. Activities will include group discussions, critique of reading material and self-reflection exercises. Reflecting on your own work context is a significant aspect of this course, and you will be given opportunities during the workshop to discuss and think about your practice.


Teaching Schedule

There are 10 workshops schedule for this program.  Workshop 1 covers this unit.

Workshop

 Title Date
 Explanatory Notes Unit (s) of Competency
1 Research February 2014 Introduction to research into a specialist area of practice. CHCPOL701B: Use research evidence to advance policy and practice (E1, E2, E3 and E4)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None required


References


Other Resources

A set of readings will be made available to you prior to each workshop. Additional resources will also be available in the learning management tool ‘Blackboard’.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is based on a research report on current government policy and the impact on your organisation and role when responding to family violence. There will also be an in class presentation on your research findings.


Assessment Tasks

CLUSTERING
This unit has been clustered (grouped) for assessment. For this unit CHCPOL701B Undertake research evidence to advance policy and practice you will be required to complete the relevant section of one assessment task as described below:

Advocacy and Policy paper: this task comprises two parts. In part A, you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of your cultural self and the impact that it has on your practice when working with people from different backgrounds to yours, you will also identify issues of concerns. In part B, you will be required to write an evidence-based argument as a policy submission to respond to the issues identified in part A.

Further details of how assessment tasks are mapped to individual units of competency are available from the Program Coordinator.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the Program Coordinator. This program in delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, grades include:

CA: Competency Achieved

NYC: Not Yet Competent

DNS: Did Not Submit for assessment

Other Information

Assessment Tasks Submission Cover Sheet

You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications.
 

Attendance
It is strongly advised that you attend all workshops in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.
 

Feedback
You will receive verbal and written feedback by teacher on your work. This feedback also includes suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your competency. Information regarding student feedback can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7
 

Student Progress
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential. The student progress policy can be found at:
http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1
 

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission)
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Information regarding application for special consideration can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w

 

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. For more information on this policy go to Academic Integrity Web site: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n

Course Overview: Access Course Overview