Research Design
Research Philosophy
Literature Reviews
Research Ethics
Quantitative / Qualitative Analysis

A 1,500 work Research Proposal setting out the research which will be undertaken LO1 and LO2
A 15,000 word Research Dissertation undertaken in line with the learning from the course. LO1-LO4

By planning and carrying out the research, students will address all learning outcomes.

Learning will comprise a mix of taught sessions (instructor led) and workshops where students will be able to apply knowledge learned in the taught sessions. Knowledge is then applied through the design and implementation of a research project.

1. Plan a people practice business research project aimed at adding organisational value.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Justify the most appropriate research methods to collect data for the chosen project.
Application

3. Analyse data to make decisions and provide business and people management insights.
Enquiry
Analysis

4. Propose recommendations based on conclusions derived from the research and analysis.
Knowledge and Understanding

Qualtrics software
SPSS
NVivo

Anderson, V., Fontinha, F. and Robson, F. (2019) Research methods in human resource management: investigating a business issue. 4th ed. London: CIPD Kogan Page.

Barends, E. and Rousseau, D.M. (2018) Evidence-based management: how to use evidence to make better organisational decisions. London: Kogan Page.

Bell, E., Bryman, A. and Harley, B. (2019) Business research methods. 5th ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D. (2018) Research design: qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage.

Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R. and Jackson, P.R. (2018) Management and business research methods. 6th ed. London: Sage.

Edwards, M.R. and Edwards, K. (2019) Predictive HR analytics: mastering the HR metric. 2nd ed. London: Kogan Page.

Field, A. (2018) Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics. 5th ed. London: Sage.

King, N. and Brooks, J.M. (2017) Template analysis for business and management students. London: Sage.

Marchington, M., Wilkinson, A., Donnelly, R. and Kynighou, A. (2020) Human resource management at work: the definitive guide. 7th ed. London: CIPD Kogan Page. (Chapter 14 in particular but also see chapters 1, 3, 7, 9 and 10 for case studies based on workforce analytics, and any other relevant chapters depending on focus of Business Research in People Practice Project.)

Marr, B. (2018) Data-driven HR: how to use analytics and metrics to drive performance. London: Kogan Page

Mason, J. (2018) Qualitative researching. 3rd ed. London: Sage.

Rubin, H.J. and Rubin, I.S. (2012) Qualitative interviewing: the art of hearing data. 3rd ed. London: Sage.

Saunders, M.N.K., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2019) Research methods for business students. 8th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education.

Yin, R.K. (2018) Case study research and application: design and methods. 6th ed. London: Sage.

Other texts may be added depending on availability in the institutional library.

The module covers all the main aspects of undertaking a research project from the initial planning of the work, through to data collection and data analysis. You will be introduced to the main principles of research design and be instructed in the different approaches to collect data. This knowledge will then be applied as part of the project. The learning will cover a mix of taught sessions and workshops, but lots of learning will be undertaken independently when you are making choices and decisions in relation to your own research. You will be allocated a research supervisor based on alignment of subject and method and your supervisor will guide you through to the completion of the research.