Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to gather, organise and present workplace information using available systems.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to individuals who are required to apply their broad knowledge of the work environment to analysis and research tasks. They may have responsibility to provide guidance or to delegate aspects of these tasks to others.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Gather and organise information

1.1. Gather and organise information  in a format suitable for analysis, interpretation and dissemination in accordance with organisational requirements 

1.2. Access information held by the organisation ensuring accuracy and relevance in line with established organisational requirements

1.3. Ensure that methods of collecting information  are reliable and make efficient use of resources in accordance with organisational requirements

1.4. Identify research requirements for combining online research with non-electronic sources of information

1.5. Use business technology  to access, organise and monitor information in accordance with organisational requirements

1.6. Update, modify, maintain and store information, in accordance with organisational requirements

2. Research and analyse information

2.1. Clearly define objectives of research  ensuring consistency with organisational requirements

2.2. Ensure that data and research strategies  used are valid and relevant to the requirements of the research and make efficient use of available resources

2.3. Identify key words and phrases  for use as part of any online search strategy, including the use of Boolean operators  and other search tools

2.4. Use reliable methods of data analysis  that are suitable to research purposes

2.5. Ensure that assumptions and conclusions used in analyses are clear, justified, supported by evidence and consistent with research and business objectives 

3. Present information

3.1. Present recommendations and issues in an appropriate format, style and structure using suitable business technology

3.2. Structure and format reports in a clear manner that conforms to organisational requirements

3.3. Report and distribute research findings in accordance with organisational requirements

3.4. Obtain feedback  and comments on suitability and sufficiency of findings in accordance with organisational requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• literacy skills to read, write and understand a variety of texts; and to edit and proofread documents to ensure clarity of meaning, accuracy and consistency of information
• problem-solving skills to deal with information which is contradictory, ambiguous, inconsistent or inadequate
• technology skills to select and use technology appropriate to a task
• research skills to identify and access information.

Required knowledge 

• key provisions of relevant legislation from all levels of government that may affect aspects of business operations, such as:

• anti-discrimination legislation
• ethical principles
• codes of practice
• privacy laws
• occupational health and safety (OHS)

• organisational record keeping/filing systems, security procedures and safe recording practices
• organisational policies and procedures relating to distribution of workplace information, and legal and ethical obligations
• research processes and strategies to identify new sources (online and print) of information and to use them most efficiently and effectively.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• presenting information and data
• maintaining and handling data and documents systematically
• analysing and interpreting data to support organisational activities
• knowledge of research processes and strategies to identify new sources of information.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• access to an actual workplace or simulated environment
• access to office equipment and resources
• examples of research tasks and resources.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
• analysis of responses to case studies and scenarios
• demonstration of techniques
• observation of presentations
• review of documentation outlining recommendations and issues
• review of reports outlining research findings.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• general administration units
• IT use units
• Governance units

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Information  may include:

• demographic data
• service delivery records
• computer databases (library catalogue, customer records, subscription database, internet)
• computer files (letters, memos and other documents)
• correspondence (faxes, memos, letters, email)
• financial figures
• forms (insurance forms, membership forms)
• information on training needs
• invoices (from suppliers, to debtors)
• marketing reports/plans/budgets
• personnel records (personal details, salary rates)
• production targets
• sales records (monthly forecasts, targets achieved)

Organisational requirements  may include:

• anti-discrimination and related policy
• business and performance plans
• Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics
• defined resource parameters
• ethical standards
• goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
• information protocols
• legal and organisational policies, guidelines and requirements
• management and accountability channels
• OHS policies, procedures and programs
• procedures for updating records
• quality assurance and/or procedures manuals
• security and confidentiality requirements

Methods of collecting information  may include:

• checking research provided by others
• checking written material including referrals and client files
• individual research
• information from other organisations
• interviews with community members, colleagues/customers
• observation and listening
• previous file records
• questioning (in person or indirect)
• recruitment applications and other forms

Business technology  may include:

• answering machine
• computer
• fax machine
• photocopier
• telephone

Objectives of research  may include:

• comparative analysis
• hypothesis testing
• identification of trends
• industry pricing policies
• process mapping
• situational diagnosis

Research strategies  may include:

• data analysis
• documentation reviews
• focus groups
• interviewing colleagues and clients
• online searching
• product sampling
• subscription databases

Key words and phrases  may include:

• American spellings when searching online
• cultural or geographic terms
• using different thesauri in different databases

Boolean operators  may include:

• exclude - / NOT
• include +/ AND
• or
• phrase searching " "/( )
• variations, depending on the resource being used

Methods of data analysis  may include:

• data sampling
• feedback on results
• peer review
• review of previous research
• statistical analysis

Business objectives  may include:

• community capacity building
• community development
• service provision
• business planning
• financial performance
• flexibility, responsiveness
• interpersonal communication
• marketing and customer service
• organisational values and behaviours
• people management
• work procedures and quality assurance manuals

Feedback  may include:

• audit documentation and reports
• comments from community, board members, clients and colleagues
• customer satisfaction questionnaires
• quality assurance data
• returned goods

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Knowledge Management - Research

Co-requisite units