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 gives you a solid grounding in the methodologies, philosophies and practical tools of organisational and HR research, helping you understand how to frame meaningful questions, choose appropriate qualitative and quantitative approaches, and critically evaluate and analyse data to inform evidence-based decisions in real organisational contexts. You’ll explore research design, ethical issues, case study methods and the broader social science foundations of research, building confidence in tackling complex organisational challenges and in making clear, actionable recommendations.

The module runs across the Autumn and Spring terms. The first term focuses on professional development, introducing students to a range of models, frameworks, and approaches to careers and professional development. These are essential for HR professionals, both in supporting their own career development and in enabling them to contribute effectively to the development of people within organisations.

Classes in both terms are delivered as workshops, combining lecture content with interactive activities. This approach enables students to engage actively with key concepts and apply their learning in practical contexts.

The professional development sessions also embed coaching techniques to enhance students’ understanding of how these approaches can be applied to their own career development, as well as to support the career and professional development of others.

The Spring term focuses on preparing students to undertake their independent research project during the Summer term. This part of the module introduces students to research methodology and methods, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to plan, design, and conduct an independent research project.

Students are also strongly encouraged to attend the Centre for Work and Organisational Studies (CWOS) research seminars, which take place on Wednesdays during both the Autumn and Spring terms, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. Students will be emailed details of these workshops, which are delivered either on Zoom or on campus. These seminars provide an opportunity for students to explore current research topics and issues in Human Resource Management (HRM). They also expose students to a range of innovative research methods and contemporary approaches to conducting research in the field.