HRM020 Foundations in Research Methods and Data Analysis  CPD

The aim of this module is to provide you with basic research skills to enable you to access the evidence base and perform entry-level statistics.

You will learn about different research methodologies and be able to critique the literature. You will also gain working knowledge of the principles underlying statistics and have an introductory knowledge of a specialist statistical software package (SPSS). You will learn about qualitative methodology and analysis and be able to recognise techniques used in this type of research.

Equal emphasis is given to the teaching of qualitative and quantitative research methods and study designs. Importantly, you will be guided and supported to conduct research in practice by producing a research proposal and an analysis-based report which will form the basis of the module mark.

Course Information

Dates and Fees to be confirmed

What will I learn?

Content outline

The module covers the following:

  • An introduction to research (problem statements, study designs)
  • The research process (refining research questions, funding, how to plan and carry out a research project, getting research into practice) 
  • Searching for evidence (electronic databases, key words, inclusion and exclusion criteria) 
  • Critical appraisal skills (how to assess the quality of research) 
  • Writing a literature review 
  • Ethics of research/research governance (ethical issues, research ethics committees, research governance framework)
  • Recognising and evaluating different study designs 
  • Choosing, interpreting and reporting analyses
  • Basic quantitative statistics (Descriptive statistics, basic comparative parametric & non-parametric statistics, associative statistics)
  • Qualitative methods (in-depth interviews and focus groups, using a topic guide, interview techniques, conducting an interview)

Teaching and Assessment

How will I be assessed?

The assessments for this module are as follows:

  1. A 1,500 word research proposal (background/justification for research, statement of problem, aims, research questions/hypotheses, methodology, potential impact, timelines).
  2. A 'mini-lab' analysis-based assessment in which you must produce a report containing analyses of your choice based on data provided.

Application Deadline: