| Chapter 1: | Introduction |
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Validating the Standards
In addition to design processes, the ANTA (2001a) methodology required a validation process be undertaken. This may be seen as a requirement to develop an assessment of the face validity of the competency standards and qualification pathways within training packages. Whilst there is no methodologically binding requirement, the ANTA (2001a) specification recommended that validation be undertaken by exposing the standards to industry stakeholders who have a sound working knowledge of the area covered by the competencies or qualifications being developed (ANTA 2001g, p. 5–6). Accordingly, a methodology by which this could be done has been described and an illustrative pilot validation study has been carried out. In this study, the standards were exposed to industry stakeholders selected as key informants in a phenomenographic process involving thematic interviews and analysis.
Book Structure
Schematic Structure
As has already been stated, this book follows the sequence in which the enquiry was undertaken. Literature review and much of the discussion have followed this structure. They are embedded in each of the stages as they are progressively developed.
Conceptually, however, the construction of this book is not a simple linear sequence. It has involved the synthesis or confluence of number of interconnected issues or areas of investigation that centred on three core tasks as follows:
- • defining and selecting the competencies
- • designing the competency standards
- • developing a method to validate them
The interconnectedness of the issues thus investigated and their relation to these core tasks is represented schematically in the following diagram.