Course Title: Undertake research and analysis

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2021

Course Code: MATH7090C

Course Title: Undertake research and analysis

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6169 - Advanced Diploma of Business (Public Relations)

Course Contact: Nick Reynolds

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 0791

Course Contact Email: nick.reynolds@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Joe Matthews

joseph.matthews@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 describes the skills required to undertake research and analysis. It includes identifying and analysing information, applying the results and maintaining and compiling reports from information systems.

 This unit applies to those working in generalist and specialist roles within the public sector.

 The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

 Those undertaking this unit would work performing complex tasks in a range of familiar contexts.

 


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

PSPGEN046 Undertake research and analysis

Element:

1. Identify and undertake research

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Define information needs based on work objectives and client and organisation requirements.

1.2 Evaluate and select potential sources of information and the format in which they are presented in line with the purpose and audience for the research.

1.3 Develop strategies to acquire required information.

1.4 Research information in a thorough way and within resource allocation.

1.5 Assess quantity, quality and relevance of initial search results and fill gaps using the same or adjusted research strategies.

1.6 Communicate the methods and outcomes of research, and the criteria used to make information decisions and choices.

Element:

2. Analyse information and apply the results of analysis

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Examine, compare and evaluate information from various sources for content, structure and logic.

2.2 Select analytical techniques and processes in line with defined objectives.

2.3 Collate, consolidate and analyse information and advise senior staff of outcomes.

2.4 Identify facts, issues, patterns, interrelationships and trends through analysis in accordance with research aims.

2.5 Meet agreed project timelines and the defined standards of the organisation.

Element:

3. Maintain information systems

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Maintain, validate and reconcile information systems so that data and system integrity are assured.

3.2 Maintain a range of standard and complex information systems and applications.

3.3 Review and update information systems as necessary.

Element:

4. Compile reports from information systems

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Use the findings from analysing information to meet client and/or organisational needs and organisation standards.

4.2 Determine and organise content of reports in a manner that supports the purposes and format of the organisation and audience.

4.3 Sequence the reporting of results and ensure it includes predictions, assumptions and constraints where relevant.

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

Welcome to 'Undertake Research & Analysis' and 'Apply Writing Skills' (two units that are clustered / co-delivered).

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge to identify and undertake research, analyse information and apply the results of analysis, maintain information systems and compile reports from information systems. This cluster has been grouped together with VU22811 - Apply Writing Skills the performance outcomes will help you build the skills and knowledge required put a concept in writing. It includes writing documents, emails or reports in the required format.

This is a vital skill to any industry practitioner working in public relations, marketing and advertising.


Teaching Schedule

Unit 1 PSPGEN046 Undertake research and analysis
Unit 2 VU22811 Apply writing styles
Course format Face to Face and online
Hours per week 4 hours per week f2f and 1 hour per week online
Nominal hours 90 hours in total (PSPGEN046 40 hrs / VU22811  50 hrs)
Overview
This course is designed to be delivered sequentially.  Commencing with PSPGEN046 Undertake research and analysis, students will work through the various aspects of researching, analysing and reporting on information obtains from information systems.  They will then move to VU22811 Apply Writing Skills where they will apply the findings to several pieces of written materials applying a styleguide and tone of voice.
This course will require students to submit a draft for review and editing before submitting the final work.  They will require a styleguide that includes language and tone of voice.
Note: as assessments were not provided at the time of developing the content, only 13 weeks of materials have been developed - allowing for one week to work on each assessment (3 assessments in total)
WEEK WEEK COMMENCING TOPIC & AREAS BEING COVERED ELEMENT / PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

8th February 

Introduction to the course

  • Introduction (overview of course structure, assessments and expectations)
  

2

15th February 

Legislation, regulation and ethics in public relations

  • Legislation
  • Confidentiality
  • Privacy
  • Freedom of information
  

3

22nd February 

Prepare to research

  • What research does for an organisation
  • Stages of research
  • Advantages and disadvantages of primary and secondary data
  • Qualitative vs Quantitative research methodology
 E1-PC1.1, PC1.2, PC1.3, PC1.4, PC1.5

4

1st March

Data analysis

  • Refresher on statistics
  • Apply analytical techniques
 E2-PC2.1, PC2.2, PC2.3, PC2.4, 

5

8th March

Project management

  • Compliance in the public sector
 E1-PC1.6, E2-PC2.5

6

15th March

Maintaining systems

  • Management and handling of data that supports the project
 E3-PC3.1, PC3.2, PC3.3

7

22nd March

Assessment 1 Workshop

 E4-PC4.1, PC4.2, PC4.3

8

29th March

Identify writing requirements

  • Purpose - persuade, inform or describe
  • Message - what they need to know
  • Likely document type - refresher for benefits or why use different types of documents such as report, email, letter, procedure, manual, publication, leaflet, brochure, public notice, website etc.
  • Intended audience - internal or external, level of understanding and experience with the topic
 E1, PC1.1

 

Mid Semester Break 1st April – 7th April 

 

9

12th  April 

Preparing to write for government

  • Identifying organisational style and composition - tone, content and length
 E1, PC1.2
Research E4, PC4.2 PC4.3

10

19th April 

Genre, Composition 

  • Structure - whether you are writing an argument or rebuttal, categorising and sequencing (such as start to finish, problem to solution, general to specific, simple to complex etc)
  • Composition - tone, content and length
 E1, PC1.2
Research E4, PC4.2 PC4.3

11

26th April 

 Preparing to get the work done
  • Review the research findings, seek to close the gaps etc.
  • Summarise the knowledge
 Research E4-PC4.1, PC4.2, PC4.3
E1, PC1.3
12 & 13

3rd May

10th May

Apply writing technique

  • Develop a writing plan
  • Identify location where writing will be carried out - complete a workstation OHS check
  • Organise writing tasks in order of priority
  • Draft materials for feedback
 E2, PC2.1, PC2.2, PC2.3
14 & 15

17th May

24th May

Assessment 3 Workshop

  • Proofread your work
  • Review checklist such as clarity of writing and messaging, language appropriate to the organisation, style, grammar, spelling, copyright/IP etc.
 E3, PC3.1, PC3.2, PC3.3

16

31st May 

 Resubmissions  

17

7th  June 

 Grade Entry  



 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

All resources are accessible via Canvas.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Methods

A range of assessment methods will be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following assessment methods will be used specifically to assess competency undertaking research and analysis:

  • Project management
  • Written reports supported by practical assignments or tasks for individual assessment
  • Observation of workplace practice supported by personal interviews
  • Knowledge tests
  • Practical display with personal interview, presentations or documentation
  • Case studies
  • Real situations
  • Interaction with others.

 

You will be assessed on the criteria below:

Performance evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

  • accessing and using information ethically and legally
  • using manual and computerised techniques for information management
  • applying computer technology to data storage, security, retrieval and presentation
  • undertaking statistical analysis
  • using critical analysis techniques
  • communicating with colleagues and supervisors
  • presenting information in different ways
  • applying problem solving and referring problems as required.

Knowledge evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

  • public sector legislation including WHS and environment, policies, procedures and guidelines relating to information handling in the public sector, including confidentiality, privacy, security, freedom of information
  • data collection and management procedures
  • organisational information handling and storage procedures
  • cultural aspects of information and meaning
  • sources of public sector work-related information
  • economic, legal and social issues surrounding the use of information
  • public sector standards
  • standard reporting procedures
  • electronic and manual filing systems
  • databases and data storage systems.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment will be conducted in a safe environment where evidence gathered demonstrates consistent performance of typical activities experienced in the workforce development – diversity field of work and include access to:

  • organisational policies and procedures 
  • business technology
  • case studies and, where possible, real situations with industry
  • interaction with others.

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. You will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check your progress.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or with online discussions.

You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. You can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.

 


Assessment Tasks

Assessment

Assessment 1 - Project Scope knowledge questions

Date and time due: Semester week 7

The purpose of this Task is to test your knowledge of how data is used in a workplace project. In the first section, you will apply your knowledge of the major class Project (Tasks 2-4) to plan its scope as a class activity. In the second section, you will demonstrate your knowledge of data management in the public sector. 

 

Assessment 2 - Research and Interpret Data 

Date and time due:  Semester week 13

In this task you will begin the first phase of the Project by conducting research and interpreting data. Your teacher will allocate you to a team for the duration of the Project. An important part of your task will be to follow these work protocols:  

 

Assessment 3 – Write Draft Report 

Date due:  Week 14

Following on from your research and data interpretation of Task 2, in this task you will write your draft report for the Project. 

Produce a 3-page draft document to report on your research findings. Include charts to display data and write in a style that is appropriate to the purpose and intended audience of the report. You must meet the requirements of the Project Scope, including outlining guiding criteria that would be used to plan future promotions 

 

Assessment 4 – A: Edit peer’s draft report B: Publish own final report

Date due:  Week 15

Summary and Purpose of Assessment 

This is the fourth assessment task and final part to the major Project for this unit. 

Assessment Instructions 

This task is in two Parts; Part A: Edit a peer’s draft report, and Part B: Publish your own final report to the Wiki 

What 

Part A: Edit (Validate) a peer’s draft report 

In this task, you must critically analyse your teammate’s draft document in order to finalise it for publishing on your team’s Wiki. You will be allocated a peer team member’s work to review and edit. 

Part B: Publish your own final report on Wiki 

You will receive a similar ‘validation complete’ notification from the teammate who has finalised your draft document. 
When this occurs, you must sync your Google Drive folder with the Wiki via the Guru dashboard by the due date. 

 


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix that maps all the assessment is available on CANVAS.   Submission Requirements  

You should:

  • Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.  Non submission without supporting evidence such as ELP or special consideration will mean a result of Did Not Submit (DNS) 
  • Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (hard copy and soft copy)
  • When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use the Assessment task document that includes a declaration and statement of authorship.
  • Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. 

 

Other Information

Late Submission Procedures    You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.  If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.   More Information:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work   Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for Special Consideration.  Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.   More Information: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration   Resubmissions:   If you are found to be unsuccessful in a particular Course Assessment Task (or you do not submit/attend) you will be allowed one resubmission.  Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission.     If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.   Re-submissions   Successful re-submissions will contribute a CA only (Competency Achieved) result to your overall grade for the course.   Adjustments to Assessment    In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:  https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment   Marking Guide (Competency):    You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.   You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.      Final Grades table:       CA Competency Achieved  NYC Not Yet Competent DNS Did Not Submit for assessment   Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher

Course Overview: Access Course Overview