7949 version 4
28-Jun-16
1 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Locate, critique, and interpret social
service research
level:
5
credit:
6
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to: locate a
social service research project; critique a social service
research project; and interpret the findings of a social service
research project.
entry information:
Open.
accreditation option:
Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA, industry and
teaching professional in the same field from another
provider.
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
explain the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the
social services, and are able to apply this competence
to the context of assessment for this unit standard (for
further clarification, please refer to Unit 7927, Explain
the application of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social
services).
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7949 version 4
28-Jun-16
2 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Locate, critique, and interpret social
service research
2
Glossary
Purpose for social service research includes
description, development, explanation, or evaluation of:
social service concerns, issues, or needs; social service
theory; social service practice effectiveness; social
service policy, programmes, services, or structures.
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: alternative care, community
issues, criminal justice, disabilities, economic
development, employment, environmental issues,
families and whānau, health, housing, land, human
rights, iwi and hapū development, legal issues,
planning, poverty, recreation, personal safety, sexuality,
social crisis and change, social policy and services,
social structures, alcohol and drug issues, 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.
Sources of completed research projects may 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.
3
Sources of criteria established by legislation, ethical
practice, and service provider guidelines may include
but are not limited to: Official Information Act 1982,
Privacy Act 1993, service provider codes of conduct,
codes of practice issued by the Privacy Commissioner,
social service codes of ethics, and service provider
guidelines, protocols, staff manuals, strategic plans,
kawa, or tikanga.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7949 version 4
28-Jun-16
3 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Locate, critique, and interpret social
service research
4
People awarded credit in this unit standard show that
their actions are guided and supported by valid theory
for social service practice. Evidence is required of
social service theory that is derived from authoritative
sources, which may include but are not limited to: body
of knowledge related to social service work; cultural
theory; practice research.
Elements and Performance Criteria
element 1
Locate a social service research project.
performance criteria
1.1
A purpose for social service research is defined according to a social service
concern, issue, or need.
1.2
Research questions are defined according to the purpose for social service
research.
1.3
Sources of completed research projects are identified according to relevance to
defined research questions.
1.4
One completed research project is identified from sources of completed
research projects according to relevance to defined research questions.
1.5
Research findings are accessed from the completed research project according
to criteria established by legislation, ethical practice, and service provider
guidelines.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7949 version 4
28-Jun-16
4 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Locate, critique, and interpret social
service research
element 2
Critique a social service research project.
performance criteria
2.1
The critique explains the methods employed in achieving the findings in the
social service research project.
Range:
methods include - formulation of research topic and research
statements; research design; identification of sources of
information; literature review; information gathering techniques;
recording; quantitative and qualitative analysis; presentation of
research findings.
2.2
Methods employed in the research project are critiqued for validity and reliability
and the validity of the researcher's logic and judgement.
2.3
The methods are critiqued for compliance with ethical standards for social
service research.
Range:
ethical standards for social service research - ethical standards
prescribed by local or national ethics bodies governing the social
service research project.
element 3
Interpret the findings of a social service research project.
performance criteria
3.1
The interpretation identifies and summarises the meaning of findings from the
research project in terms of their relevance to identified research questions.
3.2
The interpretation includes an assessment of the findings from the research
project in terms of their potential value and application to the purpose for social
service research and in terms of the critique of the research project.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7949 version 4
28-Jun-16
5 of 5
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Locate, critique, and interpret social
service research
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