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MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Conduct a small scale community
research project
level:
4
credit:
12
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to: prepare a
research plan for a small scale community research project;
write the proposal for the research project; implement the
research project; and draw conclusions from the research
data, and report findings.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
moderation option:
A centrally established and directed national moderation
system has been set up by Community Support Services ITO
Limited (Careerforce).
special notes:
1
People awarded credit in this unit standard are able to
demonstrate knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi for social
service purposes, and are able to apply this
competence to the context of assessment for this unit
standard (for further clarification, please refer to Unit
7926, Demonstrate knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi for
social service purposes).
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research project
2
This unit standard reflects the standards of competency
required to undertake a small scale community
research project. Small scale may be defined by
reference to a number of factors. First, it is anticipated
that the research sample will be small, and the literature
review limited in scope. Secondly, it is likely that the
purpose of the research (see special note 3) would
focus on practical service delivery or delivery
evaluation. Thirdly, the range of methods of research
would be limited, and would most likely be restricted to
oral interviews or a questionnaire. Finally, small scale
community research should not be equated with a
thesis which explores theoretical concepts. It is most
likely to focus on data collection and the recording of
conclusions rather than analysis of results.
3
Glossary
Purpose for social service research may be description,
development, or explanation of: a social service
concern, issue, or need; or a social service programme
or service. One purpose for social service research is
required for award of credit in this unit standard, from
any combination of these factors.
Social service concerns, issues, or needs may include
but are not limited to any one of: alcohol and drug
issues, alternative care, community issues, criminal
justice,
disabilities,
economic
development,
employment, environmental issues, families and
whānau, health care, housing and land, human rights,
iwi development, legal issues, planning, poverty,
psychiatric care, recreation, personal safety, sexuality,
social crisis and change, social policy and services,
social structures, Te Tiriti o Waitangi relationships.
Concerns, issues, or needs may be cultural, economic,
educational,
emotional,
psychological,
physical,
spiritual, social, structural, or political, or related to age,
gender, or sexual orientation.
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MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Conduct a small scale community
research project
Sources of completed research projects include but are
not limited to personal, service provider, or social
service network data bases and records; professional
journals, text books, and reference works; publications
of research agencies and organisations, including
Statistics New Zealand.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Prepare a research plan for a small scale community research project.
performance criteria
1.1
The proposed research topic is defined according to the social service concern,
issue, or need, and the purpose for social service research.
1.2
Research statements are prepared to relevant criteria.
Range:
1.3
relevant criteria - research statements are clearly stated,
unambiguous, concise, and relevant to the research topic;
research statements include identification of service users in the
research, what is to be researched, where it is to be researched,
when it is to be researched, by whom it is to be researched, the
rationale for undertaking the research.
The rationale for the proposed research is stated in terms of factors to be
included in the research proposal.
Range:
factors to be included in the research proposal - the need for and
purpose of the research, the interests of stakeholders, the nature
of the proposed research sample, research methodology.
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research project
1.4
The proposed research method is selected according to relevant criteria.
Range:
1.5
relevant criteria - the characteristics and needs of service users;
the nature of the social service concern, issue, or need to be
researched; the purpose of the research; whether the research is
quantitative or qualitative; the available resources; time span.
All aspects of the proposed research method are identified and defined.
Range:
all aspects - literature review, the purpose and role of the
researchers, methods for information gathering, recording of
information and conclusions, presentation of research findings.
1.6
Where service users are to be involved in the research, proposed service users
are identified in accordance with ethical standards prescribed by the ethics body
relevant to the context of the research project .
1.7
The research plan defines all factors relevant to the research.
Range:
all factors relevant to the research - research statements; research
design; the proposed work plan for implementation of the
research; the human, financial, and physical resources required to
implement the research; the nature and scope of the information
to be gathered; predicted application and limitations of the
research findings; identification of sources of information; reporting
of research findings; evaluation process.
Evidence is required of four of the range.
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Conduct a small scale community
research project
element 2
Write the proposal for the research project.
performance criteria
2.1
The research proposal documents all factors relevant to the research defined in
the research plan.
2.2
The research proposal is prepared according to service provider guidelines and
ethical standards prescribed by the ethics body relevant to the context of the
research project.
element 3
Implement the research project.
performance criteria
3.1
Materials are prepared to conduct the research according to the design of the
research method in the research plan.
3.2
Information is gathered, organised, recorded, and stored according to the
research method defined in the research plan.
element 4
Draw conclusions from the research data, and report findings.
performance criteria
4.1
Conclusions are drawn from the research data in accordance with the methods
for presentation of research findings identified in the research plan.
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4.2
The research report identifies valid conclusions derived from the research data,
that are relevant to the planned purpose for the social service research project.
4.3
Research reports are written according to criteria established by legislation,
ethical practice, and service provider guidelines, and requirements from any
funders of the research.
Range:
4.4
legislation is defined according to the context of assessment.
Evaluation of the research project is carried out according to the research plan.
Comments to:
Careerforce
PO Box 2637
Wellington 6140
Please Note:
Providers must be accredited by the Qualifications Authority
before they can offer programmes of education and training
assessed against unit standards.
Accredited providers assessing against unit standards must
engage with the moderation system that applies to those unit
standards. [Please refer to relevant Plan ref: 0222]
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016