Module Directory

This module introduces the methodology and methods of research in the fields of organisational studies and human resource management, equipping you with the means to explore complex practical business issues by applying question-based approaches to gathering evidence. Secondly, the module will help you to identify current professional skills and strengths and reflect on skills you can develop during the course of your Masters programme. Research skills are one of the essential professional skills for HRM and OCM practitioners in today’s dynamic business environments. On this module, you will explore how research skills support internal and external and consultancy skills specifically in order to gain a deep understanding of organisational structures, cultures and dynamics. This understanding is vital for identifying challenges, opportunities and areas for improvement within organisations.

The aims of this module are:

• To acquaint students with the nature of research and professional development in organisational studies and human resource management


• To provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to undertake advanced level, independent research.


• To enable students to develop a critical understanding of how to conduct complex practical investigations of management issues in organizational settings and how to make practical proposals for change.


• To provide students with a knowledge of research methods in order to both, a) undertake their own dissertation/thesis/consultancy or placement research, and, b) gain an understanding of how research and research methods are applied to inform decision-making within organisations.


• To enable students to acquire the tools and insights required to support professional development.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Appreciate the ways in which management and organisational research is located within the broader corpus of the social sciences.


2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the principles of research philosophy, methodology and design.


3. Identify, understand, and apply a range of research methods and tools.


4. Draw on current research and advanced scholarship to identify and develop relevant research question(s).


5. Evaluate, select and apply research perspectives and methodologies appropriate to particular research questions.


6. Understand ethical and practical issues regarding:
   1) The ethics of working with research subjects.
   2) The ethics of reporting research.
   3) Ethical issues regarding the use of data and evidence in organisational decision-making.


7. Analyse quantitative and/or qualitative information and present the results in a clear and consistent format.


8. Acquire the tools and insights required to support continuing professional development in the HR and change management professions.

This module explores a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods and how to utilise case studies, illustrating the suitability and challenges of a variety of different methods for research. The ethical questions raised by research are explored as well. This module will examine practical aspects of the research process including the skills required to organise and undertake a research project. Students will learn how to locate their study within a body of relevant knowledge, how to collect and analyse data, and how make practical and actionable recommendations.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour Lecture per week (over 6 weeks in the autumn term).
• Three 1-hour seminars, one in autumn and two in spring term.

The lectures will give an overview of key themes and to facilitate your own independent thinking.

The seminars will provide additional guidance on the development of the research proposal and in which you will receive feedback on your ideas.

Students will be encouraged to engage in participative learning with presentations and group-work.

In addition to attendance at lectures and seminars, students are expected to engage in private study for a minimum of 10 hours per module per week and to work a 40 hour week throughout the programme.

Each of the lecturers have academic support hours every week, which you can find on the Essex Business School PGT Moodle page. During these hours, you will be welcome to come and discuss various aspects of the module or your assessment.

Whilst we endeavour to provide you with any advice we can, it should be clear that we are not there to tell you what the ‘answers’ are regarding the assessments. For this reason, it is extremely important that you start thinking about your assignments in good time. The more work you have done before you come and see us, the more fruitful the discussion will be.