Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Databases may include:
bibliographic databases, such as:
library catalogues
Library of Congress catalogue
databases accessed via library websites, such as:
Australian National Data Service (ANDS)
Libraries Australia
National Library of Australia
public libraries
state libraries
Trove
datasets accessed through paid subscriptions to aggregators and vendors
full text databases available through Electronic Resources Australia (ERA)
literature databases
publisher and vendor databases containing bibliographic records.
Information services providers may include:
archives
co-located local government services, such as:
councils
galleries
libraries
museums
tourist information centres
community advisory organisations or bureaus
galleries
government departments, agencies or shopfronts
information units, including:
business and financial information units
information units within a parent organisation
libraries, such as:
business
law
medical
public and private
school
TAFE
university
museums
records management units.
Proceduresmay relate to:
access restricted to authorised persons, such as:
members of library
students and staff of school or university
free access to databases provided through various state and national libraries
logging on via secure password or authentication of internet protocol (IP) address.
Copyright and licensing conditionsmay relate to:
constraints on usage by specific groups
downloading and printing of entire works
number of concurrent users at any one time
terms and conditions of licensing agreements.
Search techniques may include:
compiling lists of keywords and related phrases
conducting single searches, that is, repeating same search one database at a time
consulting indexes or thesauruses to determine standardised subject headings or search terms, such as:
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
medical subject headings (MESH)
following online search tips
ISBN or ISSN searches
limiting by date, language or format
reviewing and revising search items
searching across a range of databases using federated search engines
seeking assistance from colleagues or external organisations
using Boolean operators
using different access points, such as:
author
combined searches
keyword
subject
title
using subject terms and descriptors
using truncation symbols and wildcards.
Features of databases may include:
ability to interface with referencing applications, such as endnote
ability to print or email articles
abstracts
availability of bibliographic or full text information or a combination of both
availability of online help and search tips
basic and advanced search features
citations only
downloading of bibliographic and other records
federated search engines
full text
pay per view databases
range of subjects covered by individual databases or datasets
scholarly or academic content
single search engines.
Search resultsmay include:
bibliographic citations
full text articles
lists of relevant information resources
results lists as displayed on screen.
Formats may include:
annotated bibliographies
delivered as email attachments
diagrammatic
electronic copies
printbased
provide explanation of search strategy
reference lists or bibliographies created manually or using endnotes.
Standard referencing styles may include:
American Psychological Association (APA)
Australian Government Publishing Service (AGPS)
Chicago Manual of Style
Harvard referencing style
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Vancouver.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
search a range of databases
use search techniques to source information in response to a range of customer needs
use current industry systems and equipment
respond to multiple and varied information requests.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure access to:
technology and databases to support information searching.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation or verified evidence of the candidate using databases to retrieve information
evaluation of appropriateness of information sourced in response to different needs
verbal or written questioning to assess knowledge of databases and different searching techniques
direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of onthejob performance.
Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands and the needs of particular client groups (consider the requirements of different age groups, clients with English as a second language, clients with disabilities, remote library users, etc.).
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
CULINS401A Assist customers to access information.