Application
This unit applies to leaders or enterprise managers using applied research to enhance individual, team and organisational performance in sustainability. The intended purpose and approach to applied research may vary across a range of contexts and organisations. In this unit, the focus is on applied research to attain improved organisational outcomes. It involves leading a range of research activities and techniques that, in combination, can provide quality information to enhance the development of capabilities in an enterprise to reach sustainability targets. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA | |
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. | |
Provide direction for the development of an applied research strategy for ICT sustainability |
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2 Control the use of a range of applied research techniques and resources |
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3 Promote findings |
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Required Skills
Required skills |
analytical skills to: analyse and interpret structurally intricate information in the area being researched evaluate effective technical solutions in sustainability implementation communication and teamwork skills to: consult with target groups using a range of communication techniques develop written texts which deal with complex ideas and concepts present research findings creatively to meet audience needs literacy skills to: document technical requirements and procedures evaluate complex and formal documents such as policy and legislation prepare written reports requiring precise formats and structures to suit target audience numeracy skills to: analyse and confirm research findings such as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and carbon footprint perform statistical analysis of trends and changes initiative and enterprise skills to discover and source appropriate information, and to identify future implication of information and data collected planning and organising skills to: construct an applied research strategy initiate and design research methodology manage an applied research project problem solving skills to: analyse research check the integrity of data collected collect, organise, analyse and present data conduct trend analyses develop and examine the validity of the applied research strategy using a range of applied research techniques evaluate a range of sustainable management principles self-management and learning skills to: conduct research to develop capabilities and learning related activities manage own time and determine priorities review and adhere to relevant ethics and codes of conduct store data to maintain privacy and confidentiality of information technical skills to: select suitable technology and technical services use a range of software tools to analyse technical data use technology and web media to discover, access, collect and store data, information and research in a systematic manner leadership skills to: set research directions, make decisions and solve problems manage, guide and influence research team members communicate, motivate and facilitate research team interactions |
Required knowledge |
environmental and sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to industry and organisation audit methodology on ICT energy, waste, product life cycles and CO2 emissions principles, practices and available tools and techniques of sustainability management relevant to the telecommunications industry communication processes and methods data collection methods legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to handling or storing data, including privacy and freedom of information presentation techniques reporting methods research ethics and codes of conduct research tools and methods selection of appropriate applied research techniques leadership strategies relevant to a research environment |
Evidence Required
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 ability to: lead the formulation of a research proposal or plan which includes: specific research questions on sustainability valid population or sample size description of the geographical, cultural, social or institutional context within which the research will be carried out full description of the data collection methods analysis of the limitations to research design lead the design of an applied research project using appropriate tools and techniques design a research report with analysis of data, and valid and reliable findings evaluate relevance of the research results apply knowledge of applied research techniques. |
Context of, and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: research activity that relates to an actual workplace or simulated context and topic range of tools and techniques appropriate to the given situations and research topic. |
Methods of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate review of projects relating to conducting applied research conducted by the candidate direct observation of the candidate applying research skills oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of applied research. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTSUS8238A Conduct and manage a life cycle assessment for sustainability. Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. |
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. | |
Applied research purpose may be contained in documents such as: | agreements research brief research contracts research guidelines research statement. |
Target group may include: | community content and media provider end users equipment vendor government authority investors regulator society statutory authority sustainability auditors telecommunications service provider user groups. |
Factors affecting reliability and validity may include: | access appropriate population authenticity and reliability of data sources capacity to generalise findings across the whole population sample size type or survey used to increase validity. |
Applied research strategy may cover: | analysis of industry specific trends, statistics and issues collection of data to assist informed decision making, planning or risk management data and information relating to strategy, policy, practices, or work processes developed and implemented by an organisation formation of solutions to complex problems information and analysis needed to develop a campaign, strategic plan, industry or sector plan and strategy, or to bargain effectively with employers information and analysis to conduct a strategic or community campaign or activity relationship or relevance of a theory, principle or practice to an immediate practical problem, issue or to test a proposed solution. |
Applied research methods and theories may cover: | methods such as: action research case study experience and intuition experiments interviews mathematical models and simulations participant observation surveys statistical data analysis statistical surveys content, textual analysis, theories and techniques, which will vary upon consideration of: application of statistical methods causal factors and dependant or independent variables critical analysis experimental, quasi-experimental, non-experimental mathematical calculations problem solving qualitative or quantitative research sampling and sample size. |
Data collection techniques may include: | collaboration with other experts or mentors desk research document research field study observation physical items analysis interviews questionnaires surveys. |
Appropriate sources of information may include: | Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) discussions with current industry practitioners and manufacturers energy and climate change reports and policies government departments industry associations and organisations industry standards AS/NZ3598:2000 (or latest revision): Level 1 consumption benchmark Level 2 preliminary assessment Level 3 economic analysis BS EN 16001:2009 Energy Management Systems ISO 14001:2004 Environment industry journals Kyoto protocol documentation organisational policies, procedures and journals personal observations and experience professional organisations research papers, technical publications and manuals web data from research establishments and universities. |
Sustainable management principles may include: | audit waste management procedures improving efficiency of ICT network equipment: reducing air conditioning requirements shutting down of equipment during low demand and prolonged idle times procurement strategies: assessment of suppliers' environmental policies and procedures lowering of energy consumption or environmental impact of replacement products or services managing the environmental impacts of electrical and electronic equipment use of energy consumption and environmental impact as criteria in the process of awarding contracts supply chain: driving ethical values through the supply chain engaging supplier's involvement in emissions reporting and continual improvement engaging suppliers who provide information on energy consumption and product life cycles influencing suppliers to provide energy efficient products and services total life cycle (TLC) analysis of product, processes and services. |
Relevance of the research may be based on: | available time and resources feasibility of implementing the recommendations findings of previous and current research original research parameters and brief quality and credibility of the methodology value of its usefulness value of the information and data. |
Legal requirements may include: | agreements with third parties that supply research or data competency standards contracts copyright and privacy laws relating to physical materials and electronic technology licensing plagiarism privacy relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, policy, codes of practice and national standards security of information. |
Research findings may include: | circulating publications for comment and critique on the internet contributing to strategic policy drafting publications or reports presentations at seminars and conferences providing data, plans, specifications and reports resulting in changed work practice/s or design/s providing internal reports verbally, in writing or via presentations publishing papers and articles for expert review and audiences publishing reports and articles for lay audiences. |
Sectors
Unit sector | Telecommunications |
Competency Field
Sustainability |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor