Doing Applied Research in Victorian TAFE

Assessment

TASK 1

Develop a research question that addresses an issue of importance in your area of professional practice. You should consider the following:

Content                Consideration

Title                        •           What is the essence of the issue/problem that your research question is addressing?

1.Introduction       •             What is the issue of problem being investigated?

2. Background           What is your setting/context?
   • Why is this issue/problem important in your setting/context?
3. Aim                        What is the aim/goal of this research?
   • What do you want to find out?
4. Rational            What is the rationale for the research?
   • How will answering your research question address your issue/ problem?
5. Research           What is your specific research question (and sub-questions – if

Question                           needed)?

6. Current                       What are the key facts and debates in the field?

Literature              •           What previous research has been undertaken that has influenced the development of your research question?

References             •             What articles have informed your research question to date?

Base the development of this research question on the publication from the Victorian TAFE Association on Applied Research, pp. 24-27. This research guide can be found in the learning modules.

Reference: Victorian TAFE Association (2019). Doing Applied Research in Victorian TAFE Institutes: An introductory guide. VTA.

RATIONALE FOR TASK 1

This task will assess the following learning outcome/s:

• be able to discuss theoretical, regulatory, and practical factors that influence training within the Australian vocational education and training sector.
• be able to discuss the vocational training system in the context of the training development cycle.

NOTE FOR TASK 1:

• Please complete information in the provided template.
• You are required to use APA (7th Ed.) referencing conventions.
• Responses should be written in full sentences.
• Reference in-text for each part and include one overall reference list at the end.

Task 2 – Literature Review

Length: 3,000 – 3, 500 words

Conduct a literature review, based on your research question from Task 1, that addresses an issue of importance in your area of professional practice.

You will need to refer to at least 20 articles of academic standing. In essay format, write up the results of your literature review and consider the following questions:

• How does the literature relate to/explain your problem?
• How do the key ideas in the literature relate to the problem?
• What are the key facts, debates and developments in the field?
• How do the developments and issues in the field relate to your research problem?
• What are the main findings in the existing research in relation to your problem?
• What are the implications/recommendations for your setting/context?
• What are the areas/questions that you have identified for further research?

Include the following:

• Title
• Aim
• Rationale
• Research Question
• Findings/ Discussion
• Conclusions
• References

Base the literature review on the publication from the Victorian TAFE Association on Applied Research, p. 55. This research guide can be found in the learning modules.

Reference: Victorian TAFE Association (2019). Doing Applied Research in Victorian TAFE

Institutes: An introductory guide. VTA

RATIONALE FOR TASK 2

This task will assess the following learning outcome/s:

• be able to discuss theoretical, regulatory, and practical factors that influence training within the Australian vocational education and training sector.
• be able to discuss the vocational training system in the context of the training development cycle.
• be able to design, conduct and present the findings of a small basic research project focusing on one aspect of the training cycle that addresses an issue of importance in your area of professional practice.

The conduct of a literature review is critical in the research process, to explore the issue of importance that you have selected, and to find out what others have had to say on this topic.

NOTE FOR TASK 2:

• This task should be presented as an academic essay.
• Headings may be appropriate.
• You will need to refer to at least 20 texts/articles of academic standing; however, you may use more than 20.
• APA (7th ed) referencing should be used.