Research Study Assignment
In teams of 2-3, students will conduct a semester-long research study involving both primary and secondary research culminating in a written research report and presentation. The instructor is available during office hours for assistance at any or all stages of the project.
Research Study Progress Presentation
The first submission is a group presentation.. Presentations should be no longer than 15 minutes and contain a maximum of 12 Power-point slides.
Guidelines
- What is the topic of your study?
- What are your research questions?
- Briefly discuss at least two sources for your Literature Review
- What is your methodology and why did you choose it?
- How and where will you obtain your primary data ?
- How will you divide the work among the group members?
- What concerns do you have going forward?
Research Study Report:
The final written report should conform to the following format:
- Title page: Course title, title of the report, your names, date of submission
- Abstract: A very short overview that indicates the issue that was investigated, the research questions, the approach taken, the main findings and the conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)
- Contents page
- Introduction: An introduction to the topic and its importance for the organization and/or to HR practice in general as well as an explanation of the research objectives, aims, terms of reference or the hypothesis to be examined. There should also be a brief overview of the logic of the forthcoming sections or chapters (2-3 pages).
- Literature Review: This is where you establish your enquiry in its wider context and explain how your research builds on what is already known about the topic. Be sure to show how the review of the literature has influenced your research questions as well as your research approach. (5-6 pages).
- Research Methodology: An explanation of how the issue was investigated as well as a description of the procedures you used to gather, record and analyze data. This section should also include consideration of ethical issues you took into account, any logistical problems you encountered as well as an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of your approach and the implications for the reliability and validity of the data you have collected. (2-5 pages).
- Findings/Results: The results of your data gathering activities. In this section you describe what you found (the facts only) rather than your interpretation. (2-5 pages).
- Analysis: This is where you explain the meaning of your findings in light of your research questions and how they relate to what is already known (so you must reference the information in your literature review). (5-10 pages).
- Conclusions: This is a summary of the main features of your analysis and the implications of it for theory and practice. Your conclusions must be drawn from the evidence. Your opinion is not acceptable. Highlight any areas where further research could be beneficial (1-2 pages).
Research Study Final Presentation
Each team will present its study to the class at the end of the semester. Presentations should be no longer than 15 minutes and contain a maximum of 10 Power-point slides.
