Course Title: Undertake research activities

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: GEDU5978C

Course Title: Undertake research activities

School: 365T Global, Urban & Social Studies

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5330 - Diploma of Community Services Work

Course Contact : Zaina Nehme

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4552

Course Contact Email:zainaindira.nehme@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Julian Silverman: +61 3 9925 4578
julian.silverman@rmit.edu.au

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

Not applicable.

Course Description

This course describes the knowledge and skills required to implement research relevant to operations of the organisation and/or the community. This course may apply in a range of community service contexts.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CHCPOL403C Undertake research activities

Element:

1. Prepare a research plan

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

2. Implement appropriate research strategies

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Select and use research strategies appropriate to subject matter being researched, the outcomes sought and the resources available
2.2 Determine and allocate resources needed to conduct research
2.3 Ensure collection, recording and storage of all relevant information is timely and will ensure validity, confidentiality and security
2.4 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
2.5 Undertake consultation according to agreed practices and protocol of own and other agencies
2.6 Consider cultural sensitivities and ethical issues in all consultation

Element:

3. Organise and analyse information

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

4. Report the findings of the research

Performance Criteria:

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


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

This courses learning activities will be supported and complemented by RMIT’s learning management tool "Blackboard". Other essential learning activities will take place during the workshops, and you will also be required to undertake independent studies. Some of the learning activities that you will undertake are: participating in class discussions, presentations from teaching staff, undertaking online research and participating in individual and group work activities focusing on researching information. These research training activities will involve identifying and analysing published information as well as developing skills in undertaking community consultation in relation to community development issues and strategies.


Teaching Schedule

 

Class Topic Content
1  Planning a research project
  • What is research?: Defining and focusing your research question.
  • Sources of data: (one) academic, (two) community people and (three) community organisations
  • Research strategies
  • Planning an effective research strategy
  • Validating the research data
2  Planning and implementing a research project
  • Selecting complementary research strategies
  • Ensuring that diverse stakeholders are involved and have a voice
  • Ethical concerns and effective interviewing skills in community based research
  • Conducting community based research: techniques and practices including pre-and post testing

 

3  Implementing effective research utilising academic and published resources and planning and completing a research report
  • Planning your research report
  • Good practice in working with culturally diverse community organisations in the area of information gathering and sharing
  • Working professionally and respecting organisational protocols around information collection and sharing
4  Implementing effective research strategies: Library sessions 1
  • Learning to use library resources including tax base and audiovisual materials
  • Working professionally and respecting protocols around information collection and sharing
  • Conducting literature reviews and organising and appropriately referencing literature reviews
  • Independent library based study in preparation for assessment task
 
5   Implementing effective research strategies: Library sessions 2
  • Troubleshooting research issues
  • Independent library based study
6  Presenting your research to your peers and assessors - Part 1
  • Pre and post testing of their peers
  • Providing feedback to peers presenting
7  Presenting your research to your peers and assessors - Part 2
  • Pre and post testing of their peers
  • Providing feedback to peers presenting


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

No prescribed textbook required


References


Other Resources

You will be provided with the resources and tools for learning in this course. These resources will also be available through Blackboard. You will also have access to the resources in the library.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is based on completing a research report and on completing pre and post reflective surveys on sessions presented by classmates on topics of their research for this course.


Assessment Tasks

For this course you will be required to complete:

Assessment Task 1 - Research Report: Develop a research project report in which you effectively organise and analyse community input along with academic and other information on an issue relevant to the community services sector.

Assessment Task 2 - Completion of Pre and Post information session surveys: in which you reflect on your level of awareness of a community issue presented upon by a classmate. You will complete one Pre and one Post information session reflective survey for each information session on each student during weeks 6 and 7 of this course.


 


Assessment Matrix

This course 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