7CO04 - Business Research in People Practice Assignment 

Assignment Task

Introduction

The assessment for this unit is quite different from those used for other core units. Learners are required to address all twelve tasks (derived from the assessment criteria), rather than taking one Assessment Criteria from each Learning Outcome (as in the core knowledge units), or six from fifteen as in the Personal Effectiveness and Business Acumen core unit. Assessment of all twelve ACs is necessary because the Business Research in People Practice unit is an integrated project requiring all the ACs to be addressed via a series of tasks.

It requires a skill set which encompasses the following:

1) an understating of theory and practice.

2) the ability to plan a project and undertake background reading necessary to identify and specify research objectives.

3) analytical skills to write targeted questions and analyse answers from respondents.

4) insights necessary to produce cost-effective and workable recommendations.

5) communication skills to present the material in a relatively short report.

6) a willingness to review learning so as to take away lessons for the future.

Task

1. Explain how and why you chose the terms of reference for your project.

The terms of reference should state the prime purpose of the project, the resources required for its completion in terms of broad costs and support, and the deadline date for submission. These must be precise, manageable and achievable in the time allowed. It is a good idea to use a GANTT chart which shows a clear timeline for each stage of the project

2. Develop a literature review which focuses on the key people practice issues you are investigating, and critically analyses a targeted range of literature from academic, professional and practitioner sources

1) textbooks on HR/L&D and relevant papers in peer-reviewed academic journals.

2) practitioner-oriented publications and reputable on-line websites, which offer a more practical treatment of the topics addressed in the project. These include: CIPD Reports and Surveys, government publications, material from employer organisations/trade unions, and independent think-tanks in the country where the research is undertaken.

3) any other source which provides data on specialist areas of people practice. Since relatively few words are allowed for this task, it is advised that no more than 10-12 sources are actually used directly in the report; however, given that most learners will read more than that, the full list of publications should be cited in the bibliography.

Primary data is material learners collect themselves, either individually or in a team. It is important to pilot the questions to be used in an interview, focus group or survey to make sure they are appropriate.

Secondary data is material collected by someone else, either as part of an internal survey in the same or another organisation, or published data sets such as in the CIPD Research Reports or from the Office for National Statistics. Both types of data can be used in BRPP reports but it is crucial that learners do not over-stretch themselves here.

Quantitative methods

Such as surveys, can provide greater validity because there are typically more respondents, but questions must be unambiguous and simple to answer in order to have confidence in the findings.

Qualitative methods

Such as interviews, focus groups, participant observation, and case studies provide more in-depth findings and allow for more nuanced explanations. However, respondents must be able to answer questions fully and with relevant knowledge for example, regarding their own experience of an induction programme. Sample composition and methods of sample selection are key. Data from different categories of respondents is useful to check on accuracy or understand alternative perspectives on an issue.

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