Human Resource Management and Work and Organisational Psychology/Behaviour problems are complex and practitioners require an understanding of how to access relevant research in order to inform the decisions they make. This is known as evidence based management. Yet more important than simple access is being able to critique what others are claiming to be knowledge, and being able to discover new "knowledge" for themselves. Therefore the two key objectives of this module are to develop students as "educated consumers of research", and to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and insights necessary to conduct empirical research for the dissertation component of their MSc programme, and beyond.

Explore the historical development of the philosophy of science in work and organisational behaviour /psychology and human resource management research from its positivist traditions to the wider range of approaches currently in use; The Research Process The Research Problem & The Research Question Identifying the Research Problem Workshop :Strategically Using the Internet and Library Database for Secondary Research Identifying the Research Question Workshop: Strategies to define a Research Question The Literature Review The Systematic Literature Review Workshop: Conducting a Systematic Literature Review Writing a Systematic Literature Review Workshop: Writing Skills for Literature Reviews Methodology 1: Research Design Workshop: Achieving Methodological Fit Methodology 2: Collecting and Analysing Qualitative Data Methodology 3: Collecting Quantitative Data Workshop: Measures & Survey Design Methodology 4: Analysing Quantitative Data The Research Proposal Research Participants, Ethics & Supervisor-Supervisee Relationship

Understand the importance of rigorous research across multiple levels Understand, and be able to explicate, the research process Understand the "language of research" Source and critique relevant secondary sources of information for use in research Understand various methodological approaches in conducting research Design a research study and justify both the topic chosen and the methodological approach to be undertaken Understand the importance of ethics in research Understand the importance of both the participant-researcher relationship, and the supervisor-supervisee relationship Develop planning, writing, and analytical skills required for research

Appreciate the value of the various types of research methods Appreciate the importance of research ethics

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The module will be delivered using a combination of research-led lectures and practical exercises. Given the importance of developing research skills for the Master dissertation and for future organisational research, students will be encouraged to actively engage with both the theoretical and practical aspects of the programme. The module addresses the graduate attributes of knowledgeable (students will become competent in the various types of research methods) and responsible (students will learn about ethical issues in the use of human subjects for research).