TAFE NSW HIGHER EDUCATION APPLIED RESEARCH GUIDELINES

TAFE NSW HIGHER EDUCATION APPLIED RESEARCH GUIDELINES

Table of Contents PART 1: DEVELOPING APPLIED RESEARCH... 4 Introduction... 4 Aim... 4 Activities... 4 Guidelines... 5 Intellectual Property... 5 Contact Information... 5 PART 2: APPLIED RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION... 6 Project intention... 6 Applied research stages... 6 Stage 1 Applied Research Approval Process... 6 Stage 2 Applied Research Implementation... 8 Stage 3 Assessment and Reporting... 8 TAFE NSW relevant documents... 9 References... 9 Appendix 1: Applied Research Proposal... 10 Appendix 2: Applied research risk management checklist... 12 Appendix 3: Applied Research project report... 14 TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 3 of 14

PART 1: DEVELOPING APPLIED RESEARCH Introduction TAFE NSW Higher Education is committed to developing applied research projects to enhance student learning experiences and staff scholarly practice. The TAFE NSW Higher Education Learning and Teaching Framework sets out three underpinning principles for learning and teaching in higher education programs. These are Applied Teaching, Applied Learning and Applied Research. Applied research is generally understood as research that sets out to investigate and to solve a practical problem. Often this practical problem is proposed by an industry, business or a party with a particular interest which does not have the required resources to further explore an idea. Further inquiry, testing, remodelling or analysis, for example, may be required to extend a viable product or service. Aim The aim of the TAFE NSW Higher Education approach to Applied Research is to provide opportunities for students and staff to engage with hands-on industry related work; build research and inquiry related skills; and to extend the scholarly and industry currency of Higher Education teachers TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research projects are designed to complement students formal studies with practical industry related problem solving projects. TAFE NSW Higher Education aims to work with industries and businesses, particularly through small and start-up enterprises, to engage students in practical problem solving through research and inquiry. Applied research projects designed and managed with industry partners provides this very useful and unique opportunity. TAFE NSW Higher Education anticipates that applied research projects will extend relationships with industry partners to optimise future student learning and employment. Activities TAFE NSW Higher Education is committed to pursuing applied research activities that: strength and enhance staff development and student learning through involvement in applied research collaborate with industry, in particular small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and other organisations to advance mutually beneficial applied research, business innovation and commercial projects integrate applied research activities within TAFE NSW Higher Education programs to support innovation and entrepreneurship TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 4 of 14

enhance TAFE NSW Higher Education applied research capacity and scope to support research conducted by staff and students provide learning experiences that improve employment opportunities by enabling students to undertake authentic tasks and solve real world problems. Guidelines Higher Education Applied Research projects are collaborative arrangements between TAFE NSW Higher Education, students and the industry partner. Project proposals are developed as a collaborative process between TAFE NSW Higher Education and the industry partner. The following guidelines will assist with the design and development of Applied Research projects. Included are practical procedures and templates for developing and designing a research proposal which includes outlining stakeholder roles and responsibilities, anticipated project outcomes, assessments and reports. TAFE NSW Higher Education encourages applied research that: supports learning and scholarly practice has the potential to find solutions to industry related problems is inter-disciplinary and collaborative involves a research inquiry that is directly related to a Higher Education subject disseminates outcomes to all internal and external stakeholders can be incorporate into the curriculum and potentially replace an assessment item. Intellectual Property Intellectual property, other research outcomes and products that are provided for, and produced through, the workings of the project remain the property of the industry partner unless otherwise stated. Contact Information You are welcome to contact the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit in relation to any proposed Applied Research projects on 02 9217 4381 or the Director of TAFE NSW Higher Education at: ili.pelletier@tafensw.edu.au TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 5 of 14

PART 2: APPLIED RESEARCH IMPLEMENTATION Project intention The TAFE NSW Higher Education approach to applied research is intended to empower students and staff to develop skills to inquire and investigate, to recognise opportunities for change, to build skills to produce robust evidence, propose solutions and be open to new ideas. The TAFE NSW HE approach to applied research is specifically to create opportunities for students and teachers to collaborate with business and industry to create new, continuous and unique learning experiences. Applied research embedded in TAFE NSW Higher Education curriculum substantially contributes to relevance and currency in student learning and teaching practice. The applied research project will generally produce a substantial outcome, for example, a design, a tool, a process, a set of data or a technique. Products may also be tested in a commercial setting as part of a research project. An applied research project may be designed and conducted by an individual, a small team or a large group of stakeholders which includes representatives of businesses, industry, professional associations or government. Applied research projects that are coordinated as part of TAFE NSW Higher Education curriculum are negotiated, designed and facilitated in consultation with TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit. Applied research stages An applied research project at TAFE NSW Higher Education is a project that sets out to solve a specific practical problem for an industry partner, understand it and communicate the solution. The stages of implementation of an Applied Research project will aim to firstly to establish with the industry partner if there is a problem to solve, this is the ideation stage. The next stage is to understand the problem in terms of a specific course subject and as a student based assessment item and establish a potential process for working toward a solution. The final stage is the resolution and reporting of the established problem. The three main stages in implementation of an Applied Research project are: Stage 1 Ideation to proposal approval Stage 2 Approved proposal to implementation Stage 3 Completion and evaluation Stage 1 Applied Research Approval Process If an industry partner proposes a problem, or if a teacher or faculty has identified a viable applied research idea, the first contact is the relevant Course Coordinator to develop the idea further and to seek relevant regional approval. Upon local approval contact the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit for assistance with the development of the applied research proposal. An applied research project proposal needs to include information that identifies the relevance of a topic and the overall operational feasibility. A project proposal needs to include, for example, TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 6 of 14

the field or research, the industry partner, the topic, the issue or problem, background, context, why the project is useful and what students or staff would do. Attachment 1 includes a Project Proposal template, upon completion this proposal is to be forwarded to the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit for review and final approval. The Risk Management Checklist, included as Attachment 2, aims to identify potential risks and level of risk of harm to humans. If the risk level is high then the proposal process should pause until risks are further identified and mitigation strategies applied. The Higher Education Unit and or the Academic Board assesses risk and feasibility and approves or makes recommendations for the commencement of the Applied Research project. The Risk Management Checklist should be completed and submitted concurrently with the Applied Research proposal. There are a range of project activities that are not considered suitable for Applied Research projects these include: any project that requires access to personal information or data and most specifically on TAFE NSW students or staff trials required by people not involved in the research project any project that may lead to any form of harm, discomfort and/or inconvenience for participants and/or others 1 TAFE NSW does not and will not conduct research that involves animals. Risk Management The Applied Research Proposal and Risk Assessment Checklist, Attachment 2, forms the basis of the Applied Research risk management process. The checklist provides a guide for assessing if an Applied Research proposal requires additional approval prior to the commencement. Please note that research that could cause, or potentially cause, physical or psychological harm, devaluation of personal worth, social harm, economic harm or legal harm should not be conducted through TAFE NSW Higher Education programs or projects. TAFE NSW Higher Education conducts applied research that is considered negligible risk research which describes research in which there is no foreseeable risk of harm or discomfort to participants and any foreseeable risk is no more than inconvenience 2 The Higher Education Unit and/or the Academic Board will assess the risk and feasibility and approves or makes recommendations for commencing an Applied Research Project. The Applied Research Risk Management Checklist sets out key considerations by those involved in the research and their respective managers. The checklist should be completed prior to or concurrently with the Applied Research Proposal. 1 National Statement in Ethical Conduct in Human Research p17 2 Ibid p16 TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 7 of 14

Stage 2 Applied Research Implementation The Applied Research program should be developed, design and delivered to show a coherent evidence-based understanding of how the project will develop effective student learning outcomes and/or support teacher scholarly practice. The teacher, in conjunction with the Course Coordinator, is responsible for explaining an approved applied research project work to the students and staff. The teacher must clearly advise the aims, objectives, purpose and management of Applied Research projects to students at the commencement of the subject. An implementation plan inclusive of timelines developed should be distributed to students after approval from the Course Coordinator. It is suggested that the teacher utilise the TAFE NSW Higher Education Work Integrated Learning booklets for students to define the project, expected learning outcomes and assessment items related to the project. The subject teacher, in conjunction with the Course Coordinator, should facilitate student engagement with the industry partner. This may take the form of an initial industry briefing, final presentations to the industry partner, site visits or where negotiated work placement. The subject teacher must monitor each student s participation and progress. Project work that aligns directly with specified assessment tasks may be considered for one, several, or all of the specified assessment tasks for a subject. When student and/or staff participation in applied research projects do not form part of course curriculum or is a noncurriculum based activity, the Applied Research Project should be entirely voluntary and not form part of the assessment. Alternatively, an applied research project may fully substitute assessment tasks for more than one subject depending on the extent and complexity of the work undertaken by students. Substitution of assessment tasks must, however, be discussed with the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit and strategies approved prior to commencement of delivery of the subject/s. Substantial substitution of assessment tasks may require further approval, please seek advice first from the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit. Stage 3 Assessment and Reporting Students who participate in an Applied Research project may be assessed on their contribution. The assessment strategy and information will be determined and communicated to students at the commencement of the subject/s and included in the relevant subject guide. Applied research work that is not conducted as part of a formal subject does not require formal assessment. Students and staff are to prepare formal reports or similar in alignment with assessment requirements of the relevant subject. Reports are presented to the industry partner and a copy sent to the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit, who will include the report in the next TAFE NSW Higher Education Academic Board agenda. TAFE NSW higher Education will provide assistance for follow up research as to: The impact of the Applied Research project on student learning The impact upon Applied Research upon teacher scholarly practice The development of a survey to assess industry partner satisfaction upon completion. TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 8 of 14

Assessing the potential of any follow up project proposals A Project Reporting format is used to report project processes, findings and recommendations to the industry partner. The TAFE NSW HE Applied Research Project Report is included in Attachment 3. It is proposed that as Applied Research grows in the number of projects as Focus and Success metrics will be developed for the ongoing evaluation and reporting of Applied Research at TAFE NSW. TAFE NSW relevant documents TAFE NSW Higher Education Assessment Procedures TAFE NSW student Code of Conduct TAFE NSW Higher Education Scholarly Practice Guidelines TAFE NSW Higher Education Professional Experience / Work Integrated Learning Guidelines TAFE NSW Higher Education Learning and Teaching Framework TAFE NSW Higher Education Work Integrated Learning booklets (contact the HE Unit) References Australian Government (2007) National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research updated 2015 NSW Government Education (2015) State Education Research Applications Process (SERAP) Guidelines TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 9 of 14

APPENDIX 1: Applied Research Proposal The Applied Research Proposal should be developed in collaboration with the industry partner. A core component of the proposal is the statement of the applied research problem by the industry partner. The following questions guide the development of the proposal: 1. What TAFE NSW Higher Education Course does this project relate to? 2. What are the details of the industry partner? 3. What is the problem to be investigated? (This is proposed by the industry partner. The specific problem is often difficult to define and may need to be refined through discussion between the industry partner and TAFE NSW to ensure feasibility etc). 4. What is the background and context to this project? Include brief references to literature or contemporary practices as relevant. 5. Why is this research project important? 6. What are the aims and objectives of this research? 7. What is the proposed project title? 8. What will students do in this project? 9. What are the prerequisite student skills and knowledge requirements? 10. Will this project replace an existing assessment item in a subject? 11. Will this project be applied to all students in the subject? 12. Or will this project be voluntary for students, which then require an application/selection process? 13. How will the project be conducted? (Methods of inquiry, data collection)? 14. How will students analyse information and present findings? 15. What is the expected time frame? 16. What are the resource requirements (equipment, funds etc.)? 17. What will the industry partner do in this project? 18. Briefly outline key roles and responsibilities of all involved in the Applied Research project. 19. How will outcomes from this project be reported? TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 10 of 14

This application form is for a proposal to conduct Applied Research within a TAFE NSW Higher Education program. The listed topics are provided to guide discussion with stakeholder to design and develop a project proposal. The completed form is to be submitted to the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit. Applied Research Proposal Application Relate TAFE NSW Higher Education course and location Related subject title TAFE NSW staff member/s responsible for proposal Industry partner name and contact details Has the research problem been developed with and had approval from industry partner Proposed timeframe for implementation of project Identified industry problem, including proposed title Why is this problem worthy of research? Aims and objectives of research from the industry partner perspective? Aims and objectives of research from the course perspective? Student level of engagement, will the AR apply to all students, and will it replace an assessment item? Potential cost and/or resource requirements Process for implementation of research How will students be assessed on final outcomes? Who will be responsible for the supervision of and the final report Submitted by: Signature & Date Name Position Title Phone

APPENDIX 2: APPLIED RESEARCH RISK MANAGEMENT CHECKLIST As mentioned above there are a range of project activities that are not considered suitable for Applied Research projects as they form high risk these include: Any project that requires access to personal information or data on TAFE NSW students or staff Trials required by people not involved in the research project Any project that may lead to any form of harm, discomfort and/or inconveniences for participants and/or others 3 Should the proposed Applied Research involve students undertaking work placement the NSW TAFE Commission through the Treasury Managed Fund (TMF) provides Public Liability Indemnity. This indemnity covers legal liability for damage to property or injury to persons involving the Student during the Professional Experience. Incidents involving the Student or the Professional Experience must be reported immediately to the Professional Experience Coordinator. Under the NSW Work, Health and Safety Act 2011, all employers have a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of anyone working at their place of work. For additional information in relation to risk assessment and work placement please refer to the TAFE NSW Higher Education WHS Risk Assessment checklist on the TAFE NSW Higher Education intranet. 3 National Statement in Ethical Conduct in Human Research p17 TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 12 of 14

The completed Applied Research Risk Assessment Checklist is to be submitted to the TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit in conjunction with the Applied Research Proposal.. Applied Research Risk Assessment Checklist YES NO N/A HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 1. Does the project have any risks related to work health and safety management? 2. Does the project involve work placement or site visits? 3. Does the organisation have processes in place to satisfy its duty to ensure the health and safety of workers and other persons at the workplace? PREPARATION 4. If there are site-specific requirements of the Applied Research project, are safety inductions or orientation programs conducted? 5. Will students be given time in class to be fully conversant with the requirements of the Applied Research project and safety implications? APPLIED RESEARCH MANAGEMENT 6. Could any aspect of the Applied Research project cause discomfort for anyone involved? 7. Are there any financial risks involved? 8. Does this Applied Research project involve the disclosure of any personal or health information? 9. Will this Applied Research project involve research upon people or animals? 10. Does the Applied Research project have a dedicated staff member to monitor and manage the project?? 11. Are any potential health and safety risks arising from the proposed Applied Research project? 12. Are assessment strategies documented prior to the commencement of the proposed Applied Research project? DECLARATION The above statements are true to the best of my knowledge Signed: Date: / / Name Phone Position title TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 13 of 14

APPENDIX 3: APPLIED RESEARCH PROJECT REPORT The project report would be prepared by TAFE NSW HE students and or staff in accordance with project requirements or any specific subject assessment requirements A report on outcomes from the project will need to be presented to the industry partner and the TAFE NSW Academic Board at the conclusion of the project. Note that: 1. Key background and design information will align with the Project Proposal. 2. Some projects may consist of several stages or aspects of a problem and can be reported separately. A report should include the following typical sections. 1. Project Title 2. Project Stakeholders 3. Dates and duration 4. A brief overview of the project aims and objectives, background and context (from the Project Proposal) 5. Project findings and discussion points summarise the main outcomes from the project (successes and challenges ) from the conduct or the project 6. Tables, graphs, photos, samples, designs or other artefacts 7. Any limitations of the project 8. Recommendations for the industry partner 9. References or other relevant literature or resources A report which forms part of an assessment task may also include the following: 1. Reflections and key learnings 2. Links to any personal goals or aims 3. Any other issues relevant to the industry partner 4. Any other issues specific to the relevant Subject Assessment Guide A copy of project reports should be submitted to and will be retained by TAFE NSW Higher Education Unit. TAFE NSW Higher Education Applied Research Guidelines Page 14 of 14