1 Understand the research process and different research approaches.

Using Information in Human Resources

Learning outcomes:

1. Understand the research process and different research approaches.
2. Be able to conduct a critical review of information sources in an area of HR/business practice and analyse the findings.
3. Be able to draw meaningful conclusions and evaluate options for change.
4. Know how to deliver clear, business-focused reports on an HR issue

Activity 1 

Your CEO has asked each departmental head to undertake a critical review of their systems, processes and practices as part of a major organisational change agenda.  You have been asked to review an area of HR/business practice and present a business report to key stakeholders with recommendations for improving practice.  To provide the basis for your report, you have been asked to conduct a critical review of information sources relevant to the area of practice. You should:

• Select an area of HR/business practice and give the reason for your choice
• Undertake a critical review of different information sources (at least four) e.g. research digests, academic and professional literature, online databases, key texts relevant to the selected area of practice.
• Draw meaningful conclusions from the review of the different information sources.
• Make justified recommendations to named stakeholders for sustaining and/or improving practice. 1 Understand the research process and different research approaches.

Your report structure should include:

• Title page (report title and their name, submission date)
• Executive summary (overview, methods of analysis, findings, recommendations)
• Table of contents (list of numbered sections)
• Introduction (terms of reference)
• Main body (headings and sub-headings – these could be for each information source reviewed). Candidates should use a mix of narrative and diagrammatic formats to present their findings.
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Reference list/Bibliography
• Appendix if used i.e. information supporting their analysis but not essential to its explanation. 1 Understand the research process and different research approaches.

Activity 1 

Your CEO has asked each departmental head to undertake a critical review of their systems, processes and practices as part of a major organisational change agenda.  You have been asked to review an area of HR/business practice and present a business report to key stakeholders with recommendations for improving practice.  To provide the basis for your report, you have been asked to conduct a critical review of information sources relevant to the area of practice. You should:

• Select an area of HR/business practice and give the reason for your choice
• Undertake a critical review of different information sources (at least four) e.g. research digests, academic and professional literature, online databases, key texts relevant to the selected area of practice. 1 Understand the research process and different research approaches.
• Draw meaningful conclusions from the review of the different information sources.
• Make justified recommendations to named stakeholders for sustaining and/or improving practice. 1 Understand the research process and different research approaches.

Your report structure should include:

• Title page (report title and their name, submission date)
• Executive summary (overview, methods of analysis, findings, recommendations)
• Table of contents (list of numbered sections)
• Introduction (terms of reference)
• Main body (headings and sub-headings – these could be for each information source reviewed). Candidates should use a mix of narrative and diagrammatic formats to present their findings.
• Conclusions
• Recommendations
• Reference list/Bibliography
• Appendix if used i.e. information supporting their analysis but not essential to its explanation.