Answer: Understand the research process and different research approaches.

This paper revolves around the writing of a research paper that carries the whole research process and a critical evaluation of systems, processes and practices as part of a major organisational change agenda. You are supposed to review an area of HR business and suggest a business report with recommendations to key stakeholders for enhancing business practices. Additionally, the research should carry proper pattern and structure with references.

Instructions

Title of unit/s 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

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. 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.

Activity 2

a. Summarise the key stages of the research process.

b. Compare two different research methods.

Evidence to be produced/required A written business report for stakeholders and written answers to activity two of approximately 2600 words. The title page, executive summary, reference list and any appendices are excluded from the word count. You should relate academic concepts, theories and professional practice to the way organisations operate, in a critical and informed way, and with reference to key texts, articles and other publications and by using organisational examples for illustration. All reference sources should be acknowledged correctly and a bibliography provided where appropriate (these should be excluded from the word count).