Course Title: Use research evidence to advance policy and practice

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: BUSM7836C

Course Title: Use research evidence to advance policy and practice

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C0044 - Vocational Graduate Diploma of Community Sector 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

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.

This course is delivered and assessed with following courses - CHCMGT803B: Provide strategic leadership and CHCMGT801B: Manage a complex community sector organisation


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:

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

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

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

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

 

Learning Outcomes


Upon 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

Essential learning activities will take place during a series of 1 day workshops. You will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are:
• Analysis of current case studies
• Self- reflection exercises
• Discussion groups relating to theoretical and practice-based topics
• Problem based activities


Reflecting on your own work content is a significant aspect of this course, and you will be given opportunities during the workshops to discuss and think about your practice.


All courses and learning activities will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool “blackboard”. You will be required to participate in on line learning activities each month using the discussion board forum.
 


Teaching Schedule

There are 10 workshops scheduled for this program. This course is taught and assessed together with the following courses - CHCMGT803B: Provide strategic leadership and CHCMGT801B: Manage a complex community sector organisation and will be covered in detail in workshops 1, 4 and 10.

Workshop Date Class Content Course(s) linkage
1 February 2015

• Research methodology


• Leadership Styles
• Leadership Behaviours

• Organisational Management (culture, and leadership)
• Decision making


• Difference between strategic planning and business planning
• Methods and processes for business planning
• Model, principles and techniques for strategic planning
 

CHCPOL701B: Research evidence to advance policy and practice


CHCMGT803B: Provide strategic leadership


CHCMGT801B: Manage a complex community sector organisations
 
4 May 2015
10 November 2015


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Additional resources will also be available in the learning management tool “Blackboard”. A set of readings will be made available to you prior to each workshop. A list of program specific resources, including journals and texts that may support you in the program, can also be found on the link to the RMIT library in “Blackboard”.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and will include a project, a presentation and blackboard discussion.


Assessment Tasks

There is one major assessment that incorporates all three courses outlined in the teaching schedule. This major assessment is ongoing for the duration of the Program. The major assessment is divided into 3 sections:


1 A report on your workplace where you describe your current organisation and work role
2 A critical analysis of leading to identification of change and strategic plan to implement
3 A report and presentation on the outcome of your plan implementation.





 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant course. These are available from the Program Co-ordinator.

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