Management Research Report

Module title	Management Research Report
Module code	BEMM057
Academic year	2020/1
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Graham Perkins (Lecturer)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		11

Number students taking module (anticipated)	5

Module description

If you decide not to enrol on our full MSC HRM programme, instead choosing the PgDip route towards achieving chartered membership of the CIPD, you will need to write a Management Research Report following your investigation of a business issue from an HR perspective. Your Management Research Report will be approximately 7000 words long. Aside from providing a summary of your research findings, it will also include a short reflective account setting out what you have learned from carrying out your investigation and how you intend to take this learning forward in the future.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to help you to develop research skills, while also providing you with an opportunity to further your expertise in a chosen area of study. You will also improve your competence in report writing and justifying your conclusions. You will attend some group taught sessions in which we will brief you about how to go about researching and writing your report. You will also need to spend some time at the university discussing your plans and evolving report writing activities with your supervisor.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. Demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes contained in the CIPD's advanced diploma syllabus for Investigating a Business Issue from a Human Resources Perspective
2. Identify a relevant area of research within the HRM field, demonstrating the ability to justify your selection both academically and managerially
3. Show competence in undertaking an original piece of research, writing it up and justifying your conclusions

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

4. Enhance your knowledge and understanding of a significant contemporary topic in HRM

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

5. Demonstrate a capacity for effective report-writing
6. Demonstrate a capacity for differentiating between methodological techniques, selecting appropriate methods to investigate your chosen issue;

Syllabus plan

You will embark on your Management Research Report towards the end of your programme, working with a supervisor as you undertake your research, analyse it, write it up and justify your conclusions.

At a briefing session we will explain what is involved, providing examples of successfully completed past projects to assist you in developing your research plan. After that you will work independently under the guidance of your supervisor as you develop your research questions, undertake a literature review, decide on your chosen methodology, carry out your research and write it up.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
10	140	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Attending the briefing session and meetings with your supervisor	10	Participating at the initial briefing session. Thereafter meeting regularly with your supervisor to discuss your progress.
Independent Study	140	Researching and writing up your report

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Supervisor's advice as you proceed with your research		1-6	Written and verbal feedback from your supervisor

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Management Research Report	100	7000 words	1-6	Written Feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Management Research Report	Management Research Report	1-5	6 months

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic Reading:

Anderson, V. (2019) Research Methods in Human Resource Management, Fourth Edition. London: CIPD

Bryman, A., Bell, E. & Harley, B. (2018) Business Research Methods. Fifth Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bell, J. & Waters (2018) Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-Time Researchers. Seventh Edition.Open University Press

Cameron, S. and Price, D. (2009) Business Research Methods. A Practical Approach, London: CIPD.

Horn, R. (2012) Researching and Writing Dissertations: A Complete Guide for Business and Management Students. Second Edition. London: CIPD.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business Students. Eighth Edition. Pearson.

Weyers, J. & McMillan, K. (2011) How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports, Second Edition, Prentice Hall.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

You will have access to an online searchable and resources database, with links to several eBooks, and our bespoke “Dissertation Support Materials” available through the Exeter Learning Environment (ELE). Within this environment, you will also be supported through online discussion forums and activities.

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

As an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development you will also have access to the entirety of the Institute's website, including all published research reports, archived articles from 'People Management', fact sheets, discussion papers and briefings.

Key words search

Human Resource Management, Management Report

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	17/07/2014
Last revision date	22/01/2020