ObjectivesThis course gives human resource practitioners an exciting opportunity to develop their personal and professional knowledge of HR issues to Masters level by completing a Research Methods module and a dissertation. It is designed to enhance career development at a time when employers in all sectors of the economy are increasingly recognising the value of a Masters qualification.
Entry requirementsGraduate membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or a Postgraduate Diploma in Personnel Management / Human Resource Management provide direct access to the course. Being able to use appropriate methods to research issues in human resource management is critical for the senior practitioner as it allows them to offer reliable evidence based insights into the issues that arise within the workplace and to make recommendations for action that are based on deep understanding. The content of the course provides a balance between the research methods needed to understand human resource management and the practical issues of human resourcing activity within a dynamic internal and external environment.
Course descriptionThe course commences with an induction designed to introduce you to the course, the study environment and the library and learning resources available. It also provides an opportunity for you to meet and network with your fellow students.
The induction and research methods module will be classroom based and will encourage you to develop your knowledge and understanding of research methodology in the social sciences and a critical appreciation of the links between academic theory and its practical application. You will also develop the practical skills of accessing information sources electronically or print-based, participating in class based and online discussions with both your colleagues and tutors, and working in virtual and real learning sets thus enhancing your employability and developing life-long learning skills.
Study and support
The programme has been designed so that Research Methods is taught in a three day study block held in November. A wide variety of teaching and learning methods are used on the course. These include small-group workshops; interactive teaching; and eSupported learning. The Dissertation is a major piece of independent study and each student is assigned a personal supervisor for the period allocated to the production of the dissertation.
Core modules
Research Methods
Dissertation
Research Methods
The purpose of this module is to enable you to acquire the knowledge and skills to be able to formulate, plan and conduct effective research projects either individually or as a team member. By the end of the module you will be able to identify and justify appropriate research methods and/or analytical techniques for answering ethical research questions or testing a hypothesis and critically assessing relative strengths and weaknesses.
The module content includes:
the choice, design and application of research and analytical methods
developing conceptual frameworks
planning a research project and writing a research proposal
developing sound analysis and arguments
research ethics
summarising and presenting research findings.
Dissertation
Studying and researching at Master’s level is a major undertaking and the dissertation aim is to enable you to make effective use of the full range of academic and other published materials which deal with issues of human resource management and employee relations. Additionally it will help develop your confidence and skill to support your work and reflect upon your own experiences.
The project or dissertation will allow you to:
Focus on a complex and important issue in human resource management and its strategic context.
Undertake effective, competent and ethical research (normally this will be primary research and analysis).
Integrate theory and practice to demonstrate creativity in problem solution.
Incorporate understanding taken from a critical review of the appropriate literature.
Be sensitive to the requirements of the different audiences for the project.
Demonstrate the ability to critically reflect on the process and outcome of the project.
Assessment
The research methods module is assessed by a written assignment. The assessment of work towards the dissertation is in two stages – a research paper on the topic area and the dissertation itself.