15-1221.00 · Learning planner
Computer and Information Research Scientists: a task-based learning plan
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Explore the complete task inventory first →
Understand the profile before choosing priorities
The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 32 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.
| Skill | Importance / 5 | Level / 7 | Rating date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 4.00 | 4.62 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.00 | 4.38 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.25 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.50 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Systems Analysis | 3.75 | 4.38 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 4.12 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.62 | 4.88 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Programming | 3.62 | 4.50 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Active Learning | 3.50 | 4.88 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
| Speaking | 3.50 | 4.12 | 08/2019 · Analyst |
Anchor the plan in an actual task
Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk
Level 6: Decide whether a manufacturing company should invest in new robotics technology
Which options, constraints and consequences would you compare, and what could change the choice?
Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
Level 6: Develop a plan to provide emergency relief for a major metropolitan area
How would you separate the problem into parts and compare possible explanations?
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
Level 6: Write legal brief challenging a federal law
What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
Level 6: Read a scientific journal article describing surgical procedures
Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?
Systems Analysis
Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Determine how a new piece of equipment will affect production rates
Level 6: Identify how changes in tax laws affect locations of manufacturing operations
What inputs, outputs and dependencies would you map before proposing a change?
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
Level 6: Serve as a judge in a complex legal disagreement
What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?
Systems Evaluation
Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Identify the reasons why a client might be unhappy with a product
Level 6: Evaluate the long-term performance of a new computer system
What would indicate the system is meeting its purpose, and what comparison would be fair?
Programming
Writing computer programs for various purposes.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Write a statistical analysis program to analyze demographic data
Level 6: Write programs to analyze geological data for existence of mineral deposits
What input/output behavior and edge case would you use to check a small program?
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
Level 6: Identify the implications of a new scientific theory for product design
What new information would change your approach, and how would you record the change?
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Read the scale examples
These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for computer and information research scientists.
Level 4: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
Level 6: Argue a legal case before the Supreme Court
How would you explain the task, audience needs and next step in a short conversation?
Review the result
Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.
Keep your worksheet
Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.
Source and practice material
Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.
Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.