Course Title: Undertake research activities

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: GEDU5909C

Course Title: Undertake research activities

School: 365T Global Studies, Soc Sci & Plng

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5247 - Diploma of Community Development

Course Contact : Anne Fitzpatrick

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4510

Course Contact Email:anne.fitzpatrick@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Anthony Graham
Program Manager
Community Services
School of Global Studies, Social Science & Planning
RMIT University
City Campus
Tel:+61 3 99254411
 

Mandy Morrison
Diploma Community Development
Community Services
RMIT University, City Campus
Ph:99254065
 

Nominal Hours: 50

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

There are no pre-requisite courses required.

Course Description

This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to implement research relevant to operations of the organisation and/or the community.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCPOL403B Undertake research activities

Element:

 

Performance Criteria:

1. Prepare a research plan

1.1 Ensure views and interests of stakeholders are reflected in the research methodology and it and is compatible with ethical considerations
1.2 Select research methodology suitable to needs, purposes and resources and to maximise credibility of outcomes
1.3 Select and use research strategies appropriate to client group, subject matter being researched, the outcomes sought and the resources available
1.4 Ensure research plan incorporates strategies for validating research outcomes
 

2. Implement appropriate research strategies

2.1 Determine and allocate resources needed to conduct research
2.2 Ensure collection, recording and storage of all relevant information is timely and will ensure validity, confidentiality and security
2.3 Identify a representative range of people and groups with an interest in the issues and consult them in appropriate ways to ensure validity of outcomes
2.4 Undertake consultation according to agreed practices and protocol of own and other agencies
2.5 Consider cultural sensitivities and ethical issues in all consultation


3. Organise and analyse information

3.1 Organise information in a form that allows analysis and suits the research purposes
3.2 Develop patterns in the data and derive explanations, maintaining validity and reliability
 

4. Report the findings of the research

4.1 Report complete and accurate details of the research methodology, information and analysis in an accessible and useable style and format
4.2 Provide opportunities for validation of research findings
4.3 Report research results and make them available to all relevant stakeholders
 


Learning Outcomes


By completing this unit you will achieve and demonstrate competence in the following elements:

  1. Prepare a research plan
  2. Implement appropriate research strategies
  3. Organise and analyse information
  4. Report the findings of the research


Details of Learning Activities

Students will study what is required to undertake research activities in the workshop sessions and online (Blackboard discussion) engagement, prescribed exercises and assessment work. These concepts will also be explored through the investigation of appropriate real world and simulated environments.
 


Teaching Schedule

Workshops will be offered on a monthly basis during the academic year. Workshops are linked to units of competency. An initial upfront assessment will occur with the student that will take into account recognition of current competency and prior learning. The individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience will be considered. Based on this process the student will then have an individual learning plan developed that will highlight the students workshop attendance.

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Learning resources such as unit reading, unit references will be provided to all students via their program folders and also placed within the blackboard site as required.
 


Overview of Assessment

Assessment in this unit will be through a mix of in-class tasks, workplace based projects and a workplace assessment. An upfront assessment to develop an individual learning plan will occur. An individual assessment appointment will be undertaken once per year with each student to allow students to present and discuss workplace evidence.


Assessment Tasks

A student must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of this particular competency and assessment tasks are based on the requirements of the essential aspects of evidence as outlined in the unit of competency: CHCPOL403B Undertake research activities.
Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
A workplace assessment appointment will be undertaken to allow students to present and discuss workplace evidence: Based on the individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience: an individual learning plan will be negotiated and developed.
Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including responses to task questions, in class activities, case studies, and the development of project work in consultation with the Course Coordinator ( assessor) and the student’s workplace.
Student will also be asked to complete an evidence portfolio documenting workplace practise as linked to the unit of competency. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their Course Coordinator to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

 


Assessment Matrix

A combination of assessment activities based on each individual student’s learning plans may be developed as required.
Assessments will be based on the level of the individual student’s knowledge, skills and experience as ascertained at a workplace meeting where workplace evidence is discussed and presented.
At completion of the course an evidence portfolio will validate competence with the assessment task activities’ completed for any competency gaps.
 

CHCPOL403B Undertake research activities Task questions Case study Workplace project work In class activities Development of an evidence portfolio based on workplace practise
Element 1 X X X X X
Element 2 X X X X X
Element 3 X X X X X

Course Overview: Access Course Overview