Unit information: Researching Human Resource Management and the Future of Work in 2021/22

Unit name	Researching Human Resource Management and the Future of Work
Unit code	EFIMM0135
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Professor. Vachhani
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	no
Co-requisites	no
School/department	School of Management - Business School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This unit aims to provide an understanding of research design and methods used in management research, focusing on the academic skills needed to conduct research on Human Resource Management (HRM) and the Future of Work (FoW). It enables students to explore the purpose and appropriate use of a range of research methods and develop skills in the critical reading of research, the formulation of research questions and in research design. The unit is designed to equip students with knowledge of planning, identifying appropriate methods, conducting and reporting research enquiry suitable for evaluating organisational challenges and opportunities of HRM and FoW research. These are key skills and this unit is designed to develop students’ confidence in critical thinking and writing skills using evidence from the analysis and synthesis of diverse information gained from reviewing literature in HRM and FoW. The ability to communicate this evidence in a persuasive manner to diverse audiences in verbal or written formats, both individually and as a group is also a key feature of this unit.

The overall aims of this unit are to:

1.Develop students’ academic skills in conducting and writing-up organisational research and enquiry skills

2.Develop students’ intellectual and critical abilities. For example, be able to critically appraise research and synthesise knowledge across a wide range of literature

3.Develop students’ engagement and influence skills through critical thinking and writing as well as capability in communicating to different audiences.

4.Develop students’ understanding of ethical tensions, dilemmas and issues in management research

5.Develop personal effectiveness through self-reflective learning and evaluation of sources of information in response to given tasks

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse a range of academic perspectives with reference to their role in the creation and use of different types of knowledge
2. Demonstrate an appreciation of the contextual relevance of such perspectives in research design and in the selection of appropriate analytical techniques
3. Discuss how culture and the values of the researcher, and others with an interest in the outcome of research, affect the research process and how data are gathered and used
4. Evaluate the role of research-based knowledge and evidence in complex managerial decision-making and policy formation
5. Make informed decisions about appropriate methodologies, commonly used methods and any particular challenges of undertaking management research in a global context
6. Appraise the ethical and practical issues arising in carrying out research and take account of these issues when developing a research proposal.

Teaching Information

The unit will be taught through lectures and tutorials. The unit structure offers 30 contact hours in total (20 hours of lectures and 10 hours of tutorials). The sessions will have the principal purpose of introducing the content of the course, including processes for planning, conducting and reporting research, critical thinking and writing, linking organisational research to effective evaluation of research challenges and opportunities in the study of HRM and FoW.

A variety of teaching methods will be utilised, including formal lectures, small group discussions, group and individual exercises, presentations based on readings and student experiences, and peer and tutor feedback. In addition, these will involve planning, conducting research, analysis and critiquing literature on HRM and FoW. Lectures and tutorials will be structured around developing skills in conducting organisational research enquiry and analysis and demonstrating transparency in reporting and presenting research.

The remaining 170 hours of learning will be spent in independent study and in the preparation of assessment.

Assessment Information

Formative:

Formative assessment within this unit will comprise a variety of forms, including: discussions; group work; practice exercises; informal presentations of ideas; critical evaluation of HRM/FoW literatures; self-reflective activities; and peer and lecturer feedback.

Summative: (100% of overall mark)

1x 3,500 word individual research proposal. Intended Learning Outcomes: 1-6

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EFIMM0135).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.