1.1 Summarise the stages of the research process and compare different data collection methods.

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.

Assessment brief/activity

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 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 secondary sources relevant to the area of practice you have chosen. You should include a mix of narrative and diagrammatic forms, a description of your stakeholders and their needs from this report. You should:

• Select an area of HR practice and justify your choice

• Undertake a critical review of three secondary sources e.g. research digests, academic and professional literature, online databases, and key texts relevant to the selected area of practice.

• Summarise the stages of the research process.

• Highlight some of the different primary research approaches and comment on the advantages and disadvantages of these different approaches.

• Summarise the findings and draw meaningful conclusions from your review of the different secondary sources and make justified recommendations for sustaining and/or improving practice, including costs and timeframes for implementation. Explain how you would present these to the identified stakeholders.

5UIN Learning Outcomes

Assessment Criteria

1 Understand the research process and different research approaches.

1.1 Summarise the stages of the research process and compare different data collection methods.

2 Be able to conduct a critical review of information sources in an area of HR/business practice and analyse the findings.

2.1 Identify an area of HR practice for investigation.

2.2 Conduct a critical review of different information sources relevant to the chosen area of HR/business practice.

3 Be able to draw meaningful conclusions and evaluate options for change.

3.1 Draw meaningful conclusions from the review and make justified recommendations for improvements in practice

4 Know how to deliver clear, business-focused reports on an HR issue.

4.1 Formulate a business report for identified stakeholders that include an appropriate mix of diagrammatic and narrative formats.