7950 version 4
28-Jun-16
1 of 6
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Prepare a proposal for social service
research
level:
6
credit:
9
planned review date:
June 2006
sub-field:
Social Services
purpose:
People credited with this unit standard are able to define the
components of a social service research proposal, and write
a social service research proposal.
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
implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social services
according to the authority and resources available to
them, and are able to demonstrate application of this
competence to the context of assessment for this unit
standard (for further clarification, please refer to Unit
7928, Implement Te Tiriti o Waitangi in the social
services).
2
Glossary
Characteristics and needs of participants may be
physical, spiritual, or mental. Characteristics and needs
include: age and stage of development, culture,
disability, gender, health status, language, sexual
orientation; and needs for physical comfort, safety, and
privacy.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7950 version 4
28-Jun-16
2 of 6
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Prepare a proposal for social service
research
Community may include but is not limited to: a
community of interest, a community of locality, a
cultural community, a kin group. People awarded credit
for this unit standard in relation to a community
demonstrate competence in relation to one community
context.
Ethical standards for social service research include
ethical standards prescribed by local or national ethics
bodies governing the research project.
Key people include but are not limited to people within a
family or whānau, hapū, iwi, group, agency, or
organisation who are given the authority or mana to
speak on behalf of those people by virtue of their
position, expertise, or knowledge. In the context of this
unit standard, it is expected that where a community of
locality is the focus, key people will include those
identified from a cross section of stakeholders that
include individuals, agencies and organisations that
provide services to the community of locality.
Participants is used as a generic term to denote people
who are the subjects of research. They may be
referred to by various descriptive terms in the range of
social service settings.
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.
Research
methods
may
include
interviews,
questionnaires, sampling, participant observation,
literature review, survey, community study, action
research. People awarded credit in this unit standard
demonstrate competence in one research method.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7950 version 4
28-Jun-16
3 of 6
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Prepare a proposal for social service
research
Social service concerns, issues, or needs may include
but are not limited to any of: 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, 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.
3
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
Define the components of a social service research proposal.
performance criteria
1.1
The purpose for social service research is defined according to a social service
concern, issue, or need.
1.2
The proposed research topic is defined according to the social service concern,
issue, or need, and the purpose for social service research.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7950 version 4
28-Jun-16
4 of 6
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Prepare a proposal for social service
research
1.3
Research statements are defined according to relevant criteria.
Range:
1.4
The rationale for the proposed research is defined in terms of relevant factors.
Range:
1.5
factors relevant to the research proposal may include but are not
limited to - research statements; research design; a proposed
work plan for implementation of the research; human, financial,
and physical resources required to implement the research; the
nature and scope of information to be gathered and analysed;
predicted application and limitations of the research findings;
identification of sources of information.
Evidence is required of four factors.
The proposed research method is selected and defined according to relevant
criteria.
Range:
1.7
relevant factors - the need for and purpose of the research; the
views and interests of stakeholders; the nature of the proposed
research sample; research method(s).
Factors relevant to the research proposal are defined according to consultation
with stakeholders.
Range:
1.6
relevant criteria - research statements are clearly stated,
unambiguous, concise, and relevant to the research topic;
research statements identify participants 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.
relevant criteria may include but are not limited to - the
characteristics and needs of participants; the defined purpose for
social service research; whether the research is quantitative or
qualitative or both; available resources; time span.
Evidence is required of three relevant criteria.
Aspects of the proposed research method are identified and defined.
Range:
aspects of the proposed research method - literature review; roles
of the researchers; methods for information gathering, recording,
analysis, and presentation of research findings.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7950 version 4
28-Jun-16
5 of 6
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Prepare a proposal for social service
research
1.8
The proposed research method matches the nature of the research
statement(s) and addresses validity and reliability requirements for social
research.
1.9
Consultations with participants or key people amongst participants cover
components of the research proposal and seek informed consent to the
research proposal.
1.10
Consultation with proposed participants or key people amongst participants are
in accordance with ethical standards for social service research.
element 2
Write the social service research proposal.
performance criteria
2.1
The research proposal documents the components of the proposal.
Range:
components of the proposal may include but are not limited to research statements; research design; a proposed work plan for
implementation of the research; human, financial, and physical
resources required to implement the research; the nature and
scope of information to be gathered and analysed; predicted
application and limitations of the research findings; identification of
sources of information.
Evidence is required of four components.
2.2
All components of the research proposal comply with ethical standards for
social service research.
2.3
All components of the research proposal comply with requirements for
applications for funding for the research proposal.
Range:
requirements for applications for funding may include but are not
limited to - budget and financial plans; funder criteria for research
topics; funder criteria for researcher qualifications; funder formats
for research proposals; funder research standards; organisational
plans; timeliness; work plans.
Evidence is required of three requirements.
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
7950 version 4
28-Jun-16
6 of 6
MANAGE SOCIAL SERVICES
Prepare a proposal for 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