This module aims 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;

Develop students’ skills in the acquisition, analysis and management of both qualitative and quantitative information for both academic and professional purposes for which the effective utilisation of information in order to inform decision-making is a key managerial skill;

Orientate students around the sources of extant information that can be used to inform academic and managerial decisions;

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 derived from both secondary and primary sources;

Equip students with data analytic and data visualisation skills;

Provide students with formative opportunities to begin the development of ideas for their research proposal (formative assessment for ULMS840) which will be used as the basis for developing their own research project for ULMS840.

(LO1) Students will be able to critically analyse the quality and relevance of evidence available, by identifying sources of bias and using evidence-based questioning models.

(LO2) Students will be able to use people analytics and problem -solving techniques to explore stakeholder needs and concerns, identify and formulate a research problem and translate issues into answerable questions.

(LO3) Students will be able to use data and analytics to provide insight, answer questions and make decisions, using a range of data analysis software.

(LO4) Students will be aware of the variety of available information research sources (published or commissioned) and be able to assess their utility in informing both academic and applied management research.

(LO5) Students will be able to report results and create data visualisation strategies in a clear, concise and credible way.

(LO6) Students will have a critical appreciation of the importance of adhering to relevant ethical standards in the design, conduct and dissemination of research.

(LO7) Students will be able to 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.

(LO8) Students will be able to evaluate, select, and justify appropriate research methods in a chosen area of study, define outcomes for people practices, ensure that the evidence generated, its analysis and conclusions drawn are valid, reliable, ethical, and impactful.

(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 learning activities and planning a research project.

(S2) Problem solving
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 engage in learning activities 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 consider the commercial implications stemming from the findings/results of their data analysis.

(S5) Teamwork
Students will undertake group work and group discussions.

(S6) Organisational skills
This module has a number of components and organisation is key to the data analysis for the written assignment.

(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
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.

(S11) Data Analytics and Visualisation Skills
Students will learn how to analyse HR related data and present them visually in an accessible, clear, enticing and engaging way to various audiences.

2 hour lecture x 6 weeks
2 hour seminar x 6 weeks
1 hour group learning x 6 weeks
120 hours self-directed learning

The module will begin with an introduction to the module learning objectives, the research onion and key approaches to HR research and analytics. We will then examine the nature of academic and applied research, desk-based research, the research process and the identification of a research topic and research questions. After which, we will engage with conducting and writing a literature review, quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analytics, research ethics, presenting findings and preparing an applied research report. Each of the lectures will be followed by a workshop. Students will also have an opportunity to engage in additional bloc data analytics and systematic review workshops.