ULMS Electronic Module Catalogue

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS FOR HRM
Code ULMS875
Coordinator Prof R Donnelly
Work, Organisation and Management
Rory.Donnelly@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2019-20 Level 7 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

 

Modules for which this module is a pre-requisite:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on a required basis:

 

Programme(s) (including Year of Study) to which this module is available on an optional basis:

 

Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 12

12

        24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 126
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Individual research proposal There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): Semester 2  -2500 words    100       

Aims

The aim of this module is to help prepare students for both their academic and management careers by providing an appreciation of the collection, analysis and interpretation of information in order to inform and achieve both academic and future professional activities. The effective utilisation of information in order to inform decision-making is a key managerial skill, and this module aims to develop skills in the acquisition, analysis and management of both qualitative and quantitative information for both academic and professional purposes. The module will initially orientate students around the sources of extant information that can be used to inform academic and managerial decisions. It will consider the nature of research both in an applied managerial and more overtly academic context, before moving on to consider more specifically the nature and methodologies of both qualitative and quantitative data deriving from both secondary and primary sources, because students will need to develop a research proposal for ULMS875. This proposal will be used as a basis for developing their own small research project for ULMS840.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Appreciate the nature of research and the research process in both academic and more practical, applied management contexts.

(LO2) Be aware of the variety of available information sources, and assess their utility in informing both academic and applied management research.

(LO3) Distinguish between primary and secondary information and develop a critical awareness of research methods and techniques relating to the collection and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data.

(LO4) Be able to determine the appropriateness of a range of methods for data collection and data analysis to meet research objectives, thereby becoming an informed user of management information.

(LO5) Evaluate, select, and justify appropriate research methods in a chosen area of study, in order to ensure that the evidence generated, its analysis and conclusions drawn are valid, reliable and ethical.

(S1) Adaptability. Students will need to be highly adaptable as they learn about qualitative and quantitative research methodologies in the lectures and put this learning into practice in the group work.

(S2) Problem solving skills. Research issues can be viewed as problems to solve. This module will enable students to review data, analyse the data and consider how findings can solve the research questions. Students will learn the theory in lectures and put this into practice as they do group work and write their assignments.

(S3) Numeracy. The quantitative lecture/s will focus on numeracy – how to identify and interpret datasets.

(S4) Commercial awareness. Students are asked to choose an organisation or industry for their proposals (individual assignments), so this will develop their commercial awareness as they learn more about a specific commercial environment.

(S5) Teamwork. The group presentations require clear team working in order to work together as a high performing team.

(S6) Organisational skills. This module has a number of components and organisation is key – to manage both a group presentation and a written proposal.

(S7) Communication skills. Assessed formally via written assignment and developed in seminar classes.

(S8) IT skills. Developed through data review and analysis.

(S9) Lifelong learning skills. This is encouraged throughout the module, particularly as students use their knowledge in future work environment and apply the skills they learn in this research module.

(S10) Ethical awareness. There are many ethical issues which students need to consider with respect to collecting and presenting data and these will be discussed during lectures and seminars. Students will be expected to have demonstrated an understanding of this in the work they present.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Lectures x 12 hours

Seminars x 12 hours

Self-directed learning x 126 hours

The module will be a combination of both lectures and more interactive, activity-based seminars. The lectures will provide students with theories and concepts relating to the nature of research and the various methods and techniques that can be used in the collection and analysis of different types of research. Seminars will be more practically oriented, allowing students to develop and practice some of the data collection, analysis and interpretive skills in the specific context of the specialist subject-area of MSc HRM in a workshop-style format.


Syllabus

 

Lecture: Introduction to the module learning objectives, the research onion and key approaches to HR research.
Seminar: Conducting literature and database searches. Choice of topic.

Lecture: The nature of academic and applied research, desk-based research, the research process, finding a suitable research area, framing a question.
Seminar: Group work (not assessed).

Lecture: Quantitative HRM research I.
Seminar: Workshop.

Lecture: Quantitative HRM research II.
Seminar: Workshop.

Lecture: Qualitative HRM research.
Seminar: Workshop.

Lecture: Writing up and presenting your work.
Seminar: Workshop.


Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.