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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Research international trends in polygraphy and related ethical issues 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
252158  Research international trends in polygraphy and related ethical issues 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Polygraphy 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners who administer polygraph examinations. It provides the background necessary to enable learners to understand ethics in the context of detection of deception and to debate the use of polygraph examinations.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in the context of polygraph examinations.
  • Researching current developments in polygraph examination.
  • Applying knowledge of human rights to polygraph examination.
  • Critically analysing the use of polygraph examinations. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that learners are competent in Communication and Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The typical scope of this Unit Standard is national and international issues relating to polygraph examinations:
  • Polygraph examination refers to the complete polygraph process.
  • Test refers to the administration of specific questionnaires as part of the polygraph process. 
    		•

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ethical standards in the context of polygraph examinations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of ethics is explained with reference to different schools of philosophy. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Accepted ethical norms in South African society are investigated with reference to the Bill of Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    International standards and codes of ethics for polygraphers are analysed and compared to current practice in South Africa. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Countries useful for international comparison include, but are not limited to Israel, United States of America, Egypt, China, Poland, Russia, Malaysia Australia and Canada,
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Research current developments in polygraph examination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    International research and development relating to detection of deception is investigated with reference to current trends and complementary methodologies. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    International schools of thought for regulating polygraph testing are investigated with reference to voluntary and legislated regulation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The use of polygraph examinations for different purposes is researched for international and South African examples. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Use includes, but is not limited to Truth and Reconciliation Commission, parole, therapy, arbitration, employment, infidelity, security clearance, counter intelligence, anti-corruption, tax evasion and criminal investigations.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Apply knowledge of human rights to polygraph examination. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The application of human rights in the South African context is explained with reference to the impact of the South African Constitution on polygraph examinations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The rights and responsibilities of the examiner are discussed with reference to the consequences of unethical behaviour in the South African context. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The rights and responsibilities of the subject are discussed with reference to consent, information, test situation and confidentiality. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Critically analyse the use of polygraph examinations. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The national and international debate around the use of polygraph is researched with reference to validity and reliability of test formats, good practice, human rights, scientific and popular resistance from critics. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The application of polygraph examinations in different environments is analysed from standard working procedures, policy documents and codes of conduct. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a candidate against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA or ETQA where a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) exists with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information in researching debates relating to polygraph testing both nationally and internationally. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    The learner is able to communicate effectively in presenting the finding of his/her research. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  59258   National Certificate: Polygraphy  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.