1. A Research proposal

2. Aims and Objectives To establish a clear aim for your research and to identify its importance To specify how the secondary research will be undertaken To demonstrate the feasibility of what you propose To confirm the question to be answered which will guide the research.

4. Which means you Your Data Answer your research question Achieve your research purpose Address the organisation issue Allows you to Which helps Research Aims

5. Some headings you may find... Title Summary of proposal Introduction Background Research aims Literature review Research question Research procedures Limitations Resources Ethical considerations Action plan Reflections Bibliography Appendices

6. Writing frame

8. OntologyPhilosophical assumptions about the nature of reality EpistemologyA general set of assumptions about ways of inquiring into the nature of the world MethodologyA combination of techniques used to inquire into a specific situation Methods and TechniquesIndividual techniques for data collection, analysis etc

9. OntologyRealismInternal realism RelativismNominalism TruthSingle truthTruth exists but is obscure There are many truths There is no truth FactFacts exist and can be revealed Facts are concrete but cannot be accessed directly Facts depend on the view point of the observer Facts are all human creations

10. Positivism- the social world exists externally and its properties should be measured objectively- Constructionism- reality is not objective and is socially constructed and given meaning by people- appreciates the meanings people place on their experience Good research needs to link your research question and approach to what your overall aim is…

11. Example-developing a research question Title- Barriers to learning Aims- To investigate whether barriers to learning exist for mature students Research question- Is there a relationship between the number of barriers to learning and the age of learners? We would need to identify what we mean by ‘barriers’ and ‘mature’

12. Task In pairs try making some research questions/hypothesis for the following topics.. Absenteeism Management qualifications Induction training

13. Writing a research question Consider a topic that is relevant to your organisation Create a question that is specific enough to be answered by research

14. Reasoning.. The approach and what you want to find out determines the type of data you want to collect

15. Types of ontology/epistemologies OntologyRealismInternal realism RelativismNominalism Epistemology Strong positivism PositivismConstructionismStrong constructionism AimDiscoveryExposureConvergenceInvention DesignExperimentLarge surveys multi cases Cases and surveys Engagement Data typesNumbers and facts Numbers and words Words and numbers Discourse and experience AnalysisVerificationCorrelation and regression Triangulation and comparison Sense making understanding OutcomeConfirmation of theory Theory testing and generation Theory generation New insights

16. Data definitions Primary Data Qualitative Data observed or collected directly from first-hand experience. Secondary data Data that is published and from other sources that is used for a purpose other than that it was collected for. i.e. collected by someone other than the researcher. Words and opinions Quantitative Data and numbers

17. Data that has already been produced. Can be from a wide range of sources Data (facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.)

18. Good practice This is essential to help you explore your topic and clarify core concepts. You should review literature to understand best practice to ensure you can complete the research effectively

19. Exploring the literature What is ‘the literature’? Literature is the body of knowledge which has been accumulated around a particular theme or subject area.

20. Why is an understanding of the literature important? It helps you clarify your understanding of the core concepts It helps you define and refine your research question It shows you how other people have investigated the issues These factors inform your choices.

21. Sources of the literature Literature comprises secondary data, of which there are three sources: Primary sources – where data or findings appear for the first time Secondary sources – some form of digest produced from primary sources (eg a book chapter which mentions the prior work of a number of people) Tertiary sources – organised lists or summaries (eg indexes and catalogues)

22. List some sources that may provide examples of good practice in Human resources

23. Different types of literature Books Academic journals Professional journals Organisational information Government reports Theses and dissertations Conference papers

24. The perils of Wikipedia! No academic control No proof of accuracy or reliability Not accepted as valid by many universities But... Wikipedia can be a good way to find bona fide academic references.

25. Key steps in a literature search Start with a broad topic (eg working title) Decide which type of literature to start with Draw ideas/direction from this literature Use these to refine your focus Search again with new focus words

27. The characteristics of a literature review Good literature review Conclusive Contemporary Critical Coherent

28. –Logical flow –Development of arguments –Evidence for claims –Clear connections between themes/ sections Avoid: A random series of assertions Too many quotations Using language you don’t understand

29. Critical –Draw on the strengths of the literature –Recognise and comment on the limitations –Identify the conclusions that you draw from these –See how the context affects usefulness or relevance Avoid: Simply being destructive Presenting a one-sided discussion Unjustified opinion

30. Contemporary –Show a good understanding of the older theories –Show a good understanding of the newer theories –Show the relationship between these –Show where there are gaps Avoid: Presenting a descriptive ‘list’ of theories Using just textbooks Using non-academic web sources

31. Conclusive –Build your arguments towards the reason for your research –Present your own well-reasoned views and opinions –Conclusions should draw only from the previous discussions (no new ideas ‘dropped’ in) Avoid: Unsupported claims Exaggerated claims Pre-empting the outcome of your research

32. The structure of a literature review

33. Task Read the handouts of examples literature reviews and identify good and bad points. For each example state which is the good or bad review.

34. Evaluation of their contribution You must include reference to 4 specific pieces of work and give an overview of what they say and compare what the different types of document say..

35. Data to review Date must be considered from the following 4 categories Professional Academic Industry Company

36. Identifying HR data sources Academic- AC- academic sites belonging to universities, journal publishers that have been peer reviewed, published books Industry-journals, magazines data published - manufacturing tourism, service, public sector (ONS) Professional – i.e CIPD,ACCA, APM, CIEH- produced by the lead body for the area Company- produced in-house- financial records- own surveys, data

37. Evaluating the sources Compare and contrast data from different sources and publications (academic, professional, industry, company). Compare-look for similarities and differences Contrast-set in opposition to bring out differences

38. Your writing Identify the different sources or publications on your topic.. Follow the structure as for good practice Identify What data (facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis) the source brings to the topic Use similarities and differences to link your work

39. Identification of the key stakeholders and why and how they might be interested in or affected by this study Writing frame You should be able to tackle parts 1,2 (Stakeholders)and 3 2500 words.. As a guide 500 per question (though it may be expected for less words to be needed for part 2 and 5 which can be used as required)

40. Writing Style Written work must be to a good standard and make use of full sentences and paragraphs (no bullet points. Academic referencing using Harvard must be used to support your work. A full reference list must be provided with each submission. An evaluation of your own practice is required for each module.

41. Review current themes on CIPD to identify a topic for your research proposal. Draft an outline of your research question and begin to identify sources to ascertain best practice.