Plan and conduct scientific or technical investigations
Overview
This standard covers the competence you will need to plan
and conduct scientific or technical investigations in
accordance with approved procedures and practices.
You will be required to demonstrate that you can identify,
selected and used appropriate business and scientific or
technical methods and skills. You will show you have
initiated and used appropriate investigation to inform your
actions in accordance with workplace procedures.
The activity is likely to be undertaken by someone in a
science related work setting, including individuals working
in hospitals, scientific laboratories, schools and universities.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure that your work is carried out in accordance with
workplace procedures
P2 use safe practices and the appropriate personal
protection equipment (PPE) where scientific or technical
activities are performed
P3 identify and agree the business and scientific or
technical requirements of your role in the workplace
P4 establish processes that deliver scientific or technical
outcomes based on organisational goals and aims
P5 identify the objective of the investigation
P6 obtain and collate appropriate information which assists
the investigation
P7 analyse the information correctly and evaluate it against
the objective of the investigation
P8 identify the conditions under which investigations can
take place
P9 evaluate the alternative investigative techniques and
select the appropriate technique
P10 prioritise the tasks within the investigation and identify
appropriate procedures
P11 quantify the resource requirements for the
investigations and ensure that they are within the capability
of the organisation
P12 set procedures in place to deal with contingencies
arising during investigations
P13 conduct investigations in accordance with the
established plans
P14 present the results of the work done to the appropriate
people, in accordance with departmental and organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the health and safety requirements of the area in which
you are carrying out the scientific or technical activities
K2 the implications of not taking account of legislation,
regulations, standards and guidelines when conducting
scientific or technical activities
K3 the scientific or technical techniques and processes you
must use correctly in the workplace
K4 the importance of wearing protective clothing, gloves
and eye protection for scientific or technical activities
K5 the importance of correct identification, and any unique
workplace coding system
K6 the organisational requirements for maintaining the
security of the workplace and keeping confidential
documents
K7 the workplace business aims and goals and the
planning process
K8 the workplace organisational structure, its values and
culture
K9 how your scientific or technical activities add value
through delivering workplace products, services and
processes
K10 the lines of communication and responsibilities in your
department, and the links with the rest of the organisation
K11 the limits of your own authority and to whom you
should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
You need to know and understand
K12 how to identify and assess the scientific or technical
requirements of your work roles
K13 the different ways in which you are set your agreed
personal work objectives
K14 the different perspectives and approaches that are
important when exercising autonomy or judgement about
scientific or technical activities used
K15 the types of investigation initiated and used to review
the effectiveness or appropriateness of methods, action
and results of your scientific or technical work
K16 the principles and procedures for scientific or technical
investigations
K17 the techniques that are relevant to the investigation
K18 how to set objectives taking account of capabilities and
available resources
K19 how to source and access relevant standards
K20 the acceptable operating conditions for conducting
investigations
K21 the implications of deviations from set procedures
K22 how to identify customer requirements
K23 the essential features of an investigation plan and how
to initiate it
K24 how to identify the most appropriate equipment for
investigations
K25 the procedures for recording and reporting the
investigations done
K26 how to identify and deal with contingencies
K27 the limits and constraints for investigations that are
done
K28 the methods and processes used to deal with
deviations from investigation plans
K29 how to establish contingency plans for deviations from
investigation plans
Scope/range
- conduct investigations into one of the following:
1.1 a non-compliance problem
1.2 the properties of a new material
1.3 applications of a new material
1.4 identifying a substance
1.5 resolution technical problem
1.6 cost reduction programme
1.7 quality assurance review
1.8 hazard/accident - evaluate information from two of the following sources
2.1 new external standards/regulations
2.2 manufacturer's instructions
2.3 equipment technical reviews
2.4 material technical reviews
2.5 COSHH data sheets
2.6 environmental reports
2.7 workplace records archives
2.8 operating procedures
2.9 test/technical reports
2.10 accident reports
2.11 health and safety documentation - specify resources requirements against two of the
following parameters
3.1 staff
3.2 equipment
3.3 materials/chemical
3.4 time - evaluate capability requirements for investigations that
require all of the following:
4.1 techniques
4.2 technical expertise
4.3 available time
4.4 resources - establish contingencies for two of the following:
5.1 equipment failure
5.2 changes in variables
5.3 delays
5.4 safety/environmental change - record and communicate details of the work done, to the
appropriate people, using:
6.1 verbal report plus one method from the following:
6.2 written or typed report
6.3 computer-based record
6.4 specific workplace documentation
6.5 electronic mail