Course Title: Undertake research and analysis
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2014
Course Code: MATH5332C
Course Title: Undertake research and analysis
School: 650T TAFE Business
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6102 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)
Course Contact : Sally Parrott
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 5175
Course Contact Email:sally.parrott@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Fiona McQueen
Email: Fiona.mcqueen@rmit.edu.au
Nominal Hours: 40
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 unit covers research and analysis to develop advice and recommendations. It includes identifying and undertaking research, analysing information and applying the results of analysis, maintaining information systems, and compiling reports from information. In practice, undertaking research and analysis may overlap with other generalist or specialist public sector work activities such as acting ethically, complying with legislation, providing client service, developing policy, preparing for community engagement, initiating projects, developing procedures for service delivery, undertaking scientific research, detecting fraud, identifying contaminated sites, assessing security risks, undertaking court listing activities, determining liability, etc.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
PSPGOV504B Undertake research and analysis |
Element: |
1. Identify and undertake research |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 Information needs are defined based on work objectives and client and organisation requirements. |
Element: |
2. Analyse information and apply the results of analysis |
Performance Criteria: |
2.1 Information from various sources is examined, compared and evaluated for content, structure and logic. |
Element: |
3. Maintain information systems |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 Information systems are maintained, validated and reconciled so that data and system integrity are assured. |
Element: |
4. Compile reports from information systems |
Performance Criteria: |
4. Compile reports from information systems |
Learning Outcomes
This unit covers research and analysis to develop advice and recommendations. It includes identifying and undertaking research, analysing information and applying the results of analysis, maintaining information systems, and compiling reports from information.
Details of Learning Activities
This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience. Students will participate in a combination of group and individual learning activities. These activities will be provided through a combination of face to face teacher/student deliveries plus classroom work time. Additional learning activities will also be provided to students to complete outside of timetabled time.
Teaching Schedule
Week 1 - 10 February
Course Induction
Weeek 2 - 17 February
Introduction to research
Week 3 - 24 February
Sources of research
Week 4 - 3 March
Research concepts – setting objectives
Week 5 - 10 March
Research project planning
Week 6 - 17 March
Reporting design & delivery
Week 7 - 24 March
Presentation methods for communicating research results
Week 8 - 31 March
Research & Analysis reporting
Week 9 - 7 April
In class test
Week 10 -14 April
Survey Development
21 April Mid semester break
Week 11 - 27 April
Literature Review
Week 12 - 5 May
Writing final Report
Week 13 - 12 May
Research case studies
Week 14 -19 May
Assessment
Week 15 - 26 May
Final report submission
Week 16 - 2 June
Resubmissions
Week 17 - 9 June
Final week – no classes
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Overview of Assessment
Students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a particular competency to be deemed competent. Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of each competency in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks.
Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including assignments, journals, presentation and written or test. Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1 – Research Proposal (1000 words)
Due: 5pm Friday week five – 14 March 2014
Students will work in pairs to identify a research project and provide detailed background to support the research that will be conducted for the final report (assessment three – consistent pairs). The proposal will be structured in key stages:
1) Introduction
2) Background
3) Problem/ Opportunity
4) Research questions
5) Target audience
6) Research Objectives
7) Project Plan
8) Hypothesis
Assessment 2 – in class test during week 9 – week commencing 7 April 2014
Individual assessment piece. Test will cover learnings from week 2 to week 7 – 60 minute time frame.
Assessment 3 – Research, analysis and production of final Report and Presentation
Due: Friday 5pm week 15 due 30 May 2014
• In pairs (same as assessment 1)
• Research report (5000 words total – excluding survey responses)
Research & Analysis Report
Students will conduct research in response to their research brief. This will include:
• Secondary data collection;
• Primary data collection;
• An analysis of the research findings;
• Interpreting research findings into recommendations;
• Identifying areas where further research may be required or which could support the ongoing management of the communication / public relations program.
Assessment Matrix
Assessment Matrix details will be distributed with your Assessment Task Feedback sheets for each assessment.
Assessment Mapping can be obtained from the teacher.
Other Information
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Course Overview: Access Course Overview