PROJECT

P O RT F O L I O

ASSESSOR VERSION

BSBINS603

INITIATE AND LEAD

APPLIED RESEARCH
First published 2021

RTO Works
www.rtoworks.com.au

[email protected]

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Business Works is a series of training and assessment resources developed for qualifications within the Business Services
Training Package.
Section 1: Plan and develop an applied research strategy.........................................................................5
Section 2: Collect and analyse data......................................................................................................... 14
Section 3: Document and present research findings................................................................................18
Student name: Student must include.

Assessor: Student must include.

Date: Student must include.

Organisation this Student must include the organisation the assessment is based
assessment is based on: on. This can be either the case study business provided or a
suitable organisation as advised in the Assessor Marking
Guide.

Research task/topic for Student must include the research task or topic they will use to
this assessment: conduct applied research. The research must involve complex
ideas and concepts. If the student is using the case study, they
must choose one of the topics described in the Simulation Pack
(see Research Statement for more details).
 Section 1: Plan and develop an applied research strategy

This section must be completed satisfactorily by the student and it must be relevant to the organisation
their project is based on.

1. Describe the organisation you are basing this project on.

a. What is the name of the organisation?
b. What are the main activities of the organisation?
c. List at least three objectives/goals of the organisation (i.e. list three desired outcomes of your
organisation).
d. What is your role in the organisation?

Your role should be that of a leader or manager who uses applied research to enhance
individual, team and organisational performance for improved organisational outcomes.

The student is required to provide an overview of the organisation including:

 the name and main activities of the organisation
 at least three strategic objectives/goals or desired outcomes of the organisation.
 the student’s role within the organisation (their role should be that of a leader or
manager who uses applied research to enhance individual, team and organisational
performance for improved organisational outcomes).
If the student is using the case study, a sample answer may include:
Name and main activities: King Edward VII College has been operating since 2010. The
College is based in Melbourne CBD and has an additional campus in Sydney. The College
offers a range of courses in management, marketing, human resources and international
business. It currently has 195 students enrolled across all of its courses and both campuses.
Courses are offered at all levels, from Certificate II to Graduate Diploma. King Edward VII
College is very popular due to its competitive pricing structure, innovative teaching methods
and state of the art facilities.
Purpose: “The principal purpose is to provide high quality training services to satisfy
students’ needs.”
Mission/Vision/Values: “King Edward VII College provides high quality industry training that
engenders participation and achievement.” Core values underpinning activities are:
 sustain excellence in training and assessment
 promote innovation across all of our business operations
 be a collaborative and caring community.
 embrace difference and diversity
 demonstrate integrity and equality of opportunity in all activities
 operate with openness and accountability

Strategic objectives/goals:
 to be a leader in vocational education and training
 to be a leader in innovation in the vocational education and training sector
 to establish and maintain high quality infrastructure supporting clients and staff
Role: The student is performing the role of Operations Manager and is responsible for
applied research.

2. How will your research task help your organisation to achieve improved organisational outcomes?
a. How is your research task relevant to the strategic practices and outcomes of the organisation?
b. Explain how your chosen research task/topic will help your organisation to achieve improved
organisational outcomes?

The student is required to:

 explain how their chosen research task is relevant to the strategic practices and
outcomes of the organisation.
 explain how their chosen research topic/task will help the organisation achieve improved
outcomes.
If the student is using the case study, this answer will depend on the research topic they
have chosen.
For example, the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning” is relevant
to the strategic practices and outcomes of the organisation as it supports the mission to
sustain excellence in training and assessment, promote innovation across all of business
operations, be a collaborative and caring community and embrace difference and diversity. It
also supports the strategic objective to establish and maintain high quality infrastructure
supporting clients and staff. If the research findings are implemented, student learning will be
supported using best practice methods and the college will experience improved learning
results and outcomes.

3. Describe your research task:

a. What is the purpose of your research task?
b. What is the hypothesis of your chosen research task?
c. Describe your target group’s profile and needs.
d. What is the context of your research (the cultural, social, geographical or institutional factors in
which the organisation operates and in which the research will be carried out)?
e. What data is required for your research task?

The student is required to explain the purpose and requirements of their research task,
including:
 purpose and hypothesis
 target group’s profile and needs
 context of the research
 a description of the data required.
If the student is using the case study, this answer will depend on the research topic they
have chosen.

For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
Purpose: Evaluate the existing methods used at the college to support student learning (How
do our learning support services compare to those provided by best-practice examples?)
Hypothesis: We provide 95% of the learning support services offered by best practice
examples.
Target group and profile needs: Current students enrolled at the college. The COVID-19
pandemic has created new student learning needs, in particular online learning and
social/emotional well-being.
Context: Research will be carried out within the RTO. The socio-economic background of
students is usually middle to upper class. Many students are international, although the
COVD-19 pandemic has created a shift in the enrolment demographics.
Data: Current learning support services provided, student’s experience of the learning
support, student’s learning preferences.

4. Summarise your meeting with stakeholders to confirm the purpose and requirements of your chosen
research task.
a. Who did you consult with (e.g. CEO, Director, Customer etc.)?
b. Summarise the requirements of the stakeholder(s).
c. Provide an example of specialised vocabulary relevant to your research task that was used at
the meeting.
d. How was your choice of words appropriate for the audience and context?
e. If not already viewed in person by your assessor, attach proof of your meeting to this section of
your portfolio.

The student is required to attach proof of their meeting with a relevant stakeholder to discuss
and confirm the purpose and requirements of their chosen research task (unless already
viewed in person by the assessor). The student must state who they met with, summarise
the meeting, provide an example of specialised vocabulary they used during the meeting and
explain how their choice of words was appropriate to the context and audience.
If the student is using the case study, the Applied research policy states :
 “All research projects carried out by King Edward VII College employees are to be
assessed and authorised by the organisation’s CEO prior to commencement”.
 “Record and present your findings in a form that is easily understandable to the intended
audience. This should be in a written format. The research should only be orally
presented if requested (e.g. executive management meeting).”

5. Summarise the legislative requirements (legislation, regulations and codes of practice) for
conducting applied research. Consider:
 any legislation/regulations/codes of conduct that apply specifically to your chosen research
task.
 any legislation/regulations/codes of conduct that apply to the process of conducting applied
research.
 any legislation/regulations/codes of conduct that apply to research ethics.

Include at least one applicable legislation/regulation and one code of conduct.

The student is required to summarise legislative requirements (legislation, and codes of

conduct) applicable to conducting applied research in their organisation and their chosen
research task.
If the student is using the case study, this answer will depend on the research topic they
have chosen.
Legislation/regulations/codes of practice may include:
 the Privacy Act
 Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015
(https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2014L01377/Html/Text#primary-nav).
 https://www.asqa.gov.au/rto/responsibilities/complying-legislation
There is a wide range of research ethics that the student can refer to, such as The
Declaration of Helsinki, which is a set of ethical principles regarding human experimentation
developed for the medical community by the World Medical Association (WMA). It is widely
regarded as the cornerstone document on human research ethics. It is very doubtful that the
student’s research could impinge on these basic ethical principles, however. The student
may also refer to the basic ethical considerations of honesty in reporting or showing respect
for interview subjects and the responses that they give.

6. Summarise your organisation’s policies and procedures applicable to conducting applied research.
a. Summarise any policies and procedures that apply to:
o your chosen research task

o the process of conducting applied research

o research ethics.

b. Attach proof of the policies and procedures to this section of your portfolio.

You must summarise at least one policy and procedure.

The student is required to summarise organisational requirements (policies and procedures)
that apply to their chosen research task and the process of conducting applied research. The
student must attach proof of the policies and procedures to the portfolio.
If the student is using the case study, a sample answer may include:
Organisational documentation are those contained in the Simulation Pack. The research
strategy should comply with the procedures set out in the Applied Research Policy and
Procedures. Data collection and retention should comply with the Privacy Policy and
Procedures.

7. Summarise the tools and resources available that may be used to assist with your applied research
task.

The student is required to summarise the tools and resources available within their
organisation that may be used to assist with their applied research task.

If the student is using the case study, information in the Simulation Pack states that “all
applied research is to be conducted in house, relying on staff time, as there is no budget for
research currently”. The time frame is the length of the assessment time. Research is to be
conducted solely by the student.

8. Research and evaluate theories/methods/techniques/tools to collect, analyse data and maintain

data integrity for your research task.
a. Complete the table to summarise your research.
b. Evaluate alternatives.
c. Apply the most appropriate method to your research task.
d. Attach proof of your information sources to this section of your portfolio.

Note: Include textual information from at least three sources.

The student must complete the table to summarise their research on applied theories and methods of
research, techniques that may be used for data collection and analysis and methods/techniques for
maintaining data. They should evaluate their research findings to choose the best methods, tools and
techniques. If the student is using the case study, this answer will depend on the research topic chosen.
A sample answer for the case study is provided below.

Research on: Summary of research Evaluation to apply most

(including information appropriate
source/s): method/technique to your
research task:
A range of methods, theories
and data collection could be For example, consider the
described. topic “Evaluation of
methods used to support
student learning”:

Applied research theories (at Theories: Both theories are applicable.

Research on: Summary of research Evaluation to apply most
(including information appropriate
source/s): method/technique to your
research task:
A range of methods, theories
and data collection could be For example, consider the
described. topic “Evaluation of
methods used to support
student learning”:

least two theories) Researching specific issues VET Learning is all about
Summarise at least two or problems can provide practical application and
theories. unexpected solutions. researching new learning
support methods may
Practical solutions are the
provide unexpected
drivers of investigative
solutions.
processes.

Methods/tools/techniques Methods: Review of best practice

that may be used for learning support from
Interviews that are recorded,
collecting data (at least internet searches.
transcribed, and then
three)
qualitative evaluation Read the RTO’s policies and
techniques used to draw procedures to establish
data from these. formal learning support
within the RTO.
Interviews that seek
responses to specific Interview College staff to
questions. understand further learning
support efforts.
Reviewing historical data
available in the internet.
Compare the RTO’s learning
support with best practice
Comparing internal
examples.
documents against
established standards. Provide questionnaires to the
students attending the RTO
Designing a questionnaire
on the learning support
that includes the
services they access and
demographics and opinions
use (or are aware of).
of the person filling it out.
Techniques:
 Questioning specific
target groups
 Internet searches of
solutions to similar
issues
 Providing incentives or
rewards and evaluating
the results.
Research on: Summary of research Evaluation to apply most
(including information appropriate
source/s): method/technique to your
research task:
A range of methods, theories
and data collection could be For example, consider the
described. topic “Evaluation of
methods used to support
student learning”:

 Interviews

Methods/techniques/tools for Calculating averages. Confirm a statistical

analysing data (at least two) correlation with the internal
Standard deviation
documents and student
Percentages experiences.
Graphs Display data graphically.
Comparison (e.g. to best Compare existing learning
practice) support to those provided by
Evaluate against criteria best practice examples.

Methods/techniques/tools for Calculate sample size for The insights gained by the
maintaining data integrity (at required confidence interval. questionnaire can be said to
least one) be representative of the
Use passwords to access
RTO’s current student
recorded data (e.g. on MS
learning support services.
Excel)
Data integrity aims to
prevent unintentional
changes to information, and
this would be ensured by
editing access to all
spreadsheets being
password protected and
copies of all versions of all
documents being retained
indefinitely.

9. Identify technology and technology services that may be used to support your data collection and
analysis.

Note: Include at least one form of technology and one technology service.

The student is required to identify at least one form of technology and one technology
service that may be used to support data collection.
If the student is using the case study, this answer will depend on the research topic they
have chosen.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
A repository of research publications will be used to search information relevant to the
learning support best practice information. An online survey tool such as survey monkey will
be used to distribute questionnaires to students. The responses to the questionnaire will be
recorded in an Excel table to determine the frequency of responses so trends can be
determined.

10. Prepare a research strategy, considering the available tools and resources.

Your research strategy must explain how you will go about proving or disproving your
hypothesis. This will typically include your approach, methods/tools/techniques and available
resources.

The student is required to prepare a research strategy, considering the tools and resources
previously identified. They should include the most appropriate data collection and analysis
methods, theories, tools and techniques.
If the student is using the case study, this answer will depend on the research topic they
have chosen and the work they have done in this section so far. It must take into
consideration the budget, which is zero. There is also a time limit that is dictated by the
length of time given for this assessment. The student’s strategy must also take into account
the fact that they will be conducting it themself, without an assistant.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
 Review of best practice learning support from internet searches.
 Read the College’s policies and procedures to establish formal learning support within
the College.
 Interview College staff member to establish further support.
 Compare the College’s learning support with best practice examples (internet
search/repository of information).
 Provide questionnaires (via survey monkey) to the students attending the College on the
learning support services they access and use (or are aware of).
 Confirm a statistical correlation with the internal documents and student experiences.
 Display data graphically.
 Compare existing learning support to those provided by best practice examples.
 The insights gained by the questionnaire can be said to be representative of the
College’s current student learning support services.

 Data integrity aims to prevent unintentional changes to information, and this would be
ensured by editing access to all spreadsheets being password protected and copies of
 all versions of all documents being retained indefinitely.

11. Analyse the limitations of your research, including the factors which may affect the reliability and
validity of your data.
a. Give the number of samples that you intend to base your research on.
o Explain how you arrived at the sample size.

o Explain whether that is a valid sample size for the planned project.

o Describe how reliable the results of the research should be, given the intended sample
size.
b. Describe how the research results will prove (or disprove) your original hypothesis.
c. Summarise any limitations that the research design could have on the validity of the results.
d. Describe how the integrity of the data collected and analysis tools used will optimise the
relevance of the research.
The student is required to analyse the limitations of their research, including any factors
which may affect the reliability and validity of their data. They must:
 Give the number of samples that you intend to base your research on.
 Explain how you arrived at the sample size and whether that is a valid sample size for
the planned project.
 Describe how reliable the results of the research should be, given the intended sample
size.
 Describe how the research results will prove (or disprove) your original hypothesis.
 Summarise any limitations that the research design could have on the validity of the
results.
 Describe how the integrity of the data collected and analysis tools used will optimise the
relevance of the research for the organisation.
If the student is using the case study, general limitations/validity considerations for the
research are:
Sample size:
The sample size given by the student will be relatively small considering the time restrictions
of this assessment. It is important that the student can determine whether the sample size is
valid for the research that they will be undertaking. Depending on the research hypothesis, a
larger sample size may be required to give adequate power to the results that what is
feasible under the assessment conditions. Students should make note of this and discuss
how they will work with any limitations. In most cases, the data will be strong enough to
establish trends and as this is applied research as opposed to basic research, statistical
significance is not necessarily an issue.
Limitations:
The major limitations of the research design are:
 The project must be performed within the short time period given to the assessment.
 There is no budget for the research project.

Validity:
Validity refers to the project being free of biases, distortions, and unsupported
assumptions or conclusions. This is limited by the number of people who will have the
opportunity to check and verify the findings and the conclusions drawn.
Reliability:
The reliability of the data could be increased by performing the project several times to
ensure that the results are consistent, but the lack of time and resources mean that this
cannot be done.
Data integrity:
Data integrity will be ensured by a review of all data entered into the Excel spreadsheets,
and all of the formulas that have been established within the spreadsheets, by an
independent person.
12. Use the work you’ve done in this section so far to prepare a research proposal or plan.
a. Include:
o a description of your research task (purpose, hypothesis, context)

o organisation and legislative considerations (policies and procedures, legislation and codes
of conduct).
o a full description of the data collection and analysis methods, theories, tools and
techniques to be used.
o the technology and technology services that will be used to support data collection.

o the number of samples that you intend to base your research on.

o how reliable the results of the research should be, given the intended sample size.

o limitations to your proposed research strategy, including the reliability and validity of the
data.
b. Attach your research plan to this section of the portfolio.

Your research plan/proposal should include the use of specialised and detailed language to
communicate specific information, requirements and recommendations related to your
proposed research task. Your written plan/proposal should demonstrate your ability to deal
with complex ideas and concepts. You will be assessed on this.

The student must attach a research plan/proposal. They should include the work done in this section in
their plan. The research plan/proposal should include the use of specialised and detailed language to
communicate specific information, requirements and recommendations related to the proposed research
task. The student’s written plan/proposal should demonstrate their ability to deal with complex ideas and
concepts.

Attach: Meeting with stakeholder(s) (if relevant) ☐

Proof of policies and procedures ☐

Proof of textual information sources (x3) ☐

Research plan/proposal ☐

Section 2: Collect and analyse data

This section must be completed satisfactorily by the student and it must be relevant to the organisation
their project is based on.

Use the work you completed in Section 1 of your Project Portfolio to collect and analyse data
as outlined in your research plan/proposal.

1. Use technology and technology services to collect data for your research task.
a. Use at least one form of technology to collect data.
 b. Use at least one technology service to collect data.
c. Summarise the data.
d. Attach proof of how you’ve used technology and a technology service to collect data to this
section of your portfolio.

Proof may be provided in any appropriate format. For example:

 video clip or photo of you using the technology or technology service
 screen shot of you using technology or the technology service
 printout of electronic data.

If the student is using the case study, the data will differ for each student depending on their
chosen research topic.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
Data may include:
 a list of best-practice learning support services (proof could be a screen shot of the
internet search)
 results of survey monkey survey in an excel spreadsheet (proof could be a link to the
survey).
13. Access any other sources of information or relevant contributors to your planned research
a. Which sources or contributors did you access (at least one)?
b. Summarise the information/data.
c. Attach proof of the information to this section of your portfolio.
Proof may be provided in any appropriate format. For example:
 video of an interview with a relevant person providing data/information.
 best practice examples
 academic journals and papers.

The student is required to access one other source of information or contributor to their
research. They should summarise the data they collected and attach proof of how they
collected the data.
If the student is using the case study, the data will differ for each student depending on their
chosen research topic.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
The student may interview a staff member to further understand the learning support
services provided by the College. Proof may be a video of the interview. Data will be a
summary of the interview outcomes.

14. Analyse your data

a. Use the methods, tools or techniques identified in Section 1 to analyse your data.
b. Identify trends, changes or patterns

You must use mathematical information to statistically analyse your data. For example:
 probability
 percentages
 mean, average, medium
 hypothesis testing

The student is required to use mathematical information statistically analyse their data to
identify trends, changes or patterns.
If the student is using the case study, the analysis will differ for each student depending on
their chosen research topic and data collected. They may for example, represent the data
graphically, determine percentages, averages etc.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
The student may calculate the percentage of best practice learning support services the
College provides.

15. Summarise your research findings.

a. Describe your research findings (i.e. the outcome of your analysis).
b. Explain how the findings impact on the requirements of your stakeholder(s).
c. How do your findings impact the organisation (e.g. customer, employees, business plan etc.)?
 d. Are your findings appropriate and suitable for your original research strategy (developed in
Section1)?

The student is required to summarise their research findings. They must describe the
findings, explain how the findings impact the requirements of stakeholders and evaluate the
findings against their original research strategy.
If the student is using the case study, the analysis will differ for each student depending on
their chosen research topic, the data collected and the outcomes of their analysis.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
The student may identify a trend/change that learning support has drastically changed over
the past 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The business plan should be adjusted to
meet the evolving education changes. Stakeholders must consider the emotional and mental
health of their students.

You must use mathematical information to confirm your data’s reliability. For example:
 Numerical sample size
 Percentage accuracy or completeness
 Percentage of outlier data
The student is required to use mathematical information confirm the integrity of their data,
including:
 the population/sample size and how it compares to the planned sample size (calculated
in Section 1).
 a review of data for accuracy and completeness.
 analysis of whether any data shows opposing or conflicting information.
 how their chosen tools is suitable for the intended purpose.
 further research requirements and approach.
If the student is using the case study, the integrity of the collected data and its analysis will
differ for each student depending on their chosen research topic, the data collected and the
outcomes of their analysis. The students should reflect on their data collection and analysis
process to answer the questions above.
For example, consider the topic “Evaluation of methods used to support student learning”:
Further research may include increasing the sample size for student questionnaires and
interviewing learning consultants for a more complete understanding of best-practice
learning support methods.

The findings may be improved if more information about the type of student enrolments is
known (e.g. international vs local).

Attach: Proof of technology use ☐

Proof of technology service use ☐

 Section 3: Document and present research findings

This section must be completed satisfactorily by the student and it must be relevant to the organisation
their project is based on.

Use the work you completed in Section 1 and 2 of your Project Portfolio to help you complete
this section.

1. Document and present your research findings.

a. Include:
 Research summary (purpose, hypothesis, findings, surprising/important/outlying results)
 Methods used (how you carried out the research, collected data and performed an
analysis)
 Results obtained (recorded in an appropriate format)
 Detailed description of findings (if relevant)
 Relevance and impact of results (on the organisation/customer/stakeholders etc.)
 Accuracy (of data and analysis)
 Further research required (including the approach for the research) and presented
b. Attach proof of your documented and presented research findings.

Make sure you document and present your findings in a manner consistent with the
stakeholder requirements (identified in Section 1).
Research may be documented /presented for example through:
 Research poster
 Written research brief
 PowerPoint presentation
The research does not necessarily need to be presented orally. You may use infograms,
graphs, tables to present information in a user-friendly manner.
Your documented research should include the use of specialised and detailed language to
communicate specific information, requirements and recommendations related to your
proposed research task. It should demonstrate your ability to deal with complex ideas and
concepts. You will be assessed on this.

The student must document and present their research findings in a manner consistent with the
stakeholder requirements (as identified in Section 1). The research does not necessarily need to be
presented orally. If the student is using the case study, the only guidance provided by policies and
procedures are “Record and present your findings in a form that is easily understandable to the intended
audience. This should be in any written format. We value creativity and give the researcher the freedom
to choose how they record and present.” As such, the student has the freedom to create any type of
written document.
Attach:
Proof of documented research ☐