ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Written Research Proposal
For this assignment, you are required to select an organisation (you will need to source this organisation) and conduct applied research on a topic affecting a Human Resources aspect of the business. Students should refer to the marking rubric to ensure they understand how this assessment will be marked.
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This component of the assignment requires students to submit an individual written research proposal to ensure they are on track, the organisation chosen is suitable, and the project is of an appropriate scope for a Masters Level unit and is clearly justified.
Sections to be included in the proposal are as follows:
Introduction - relevant background/literature topic significance and HR theoretical foundation (1⁄2 page)
Rationale for selecting the HRM theory (1⁄2 page)
Literature review including theoretical/conceptual framework (2 pages)
Research Hypothesis or Proposition based on literature (1⁄2 page)
Methodology–explain the method to be adopted to collect the relevant information (include a
discussion on the research instruments and ethical considerations including potential risks associated with the research). Outline the chosen organisation and describe the intended research respondents/participants–demographics, industry, size, strategy, etc. Students that cannot complete their research within an organisation must see the lecturer for approval of the cohort to be investigated (2 pages)
Research plan - timeline and key deliverables/contribution of the study (1⁄2 page)
References
This semester students are encouraged to report on the organisation’s activities that are contributing to the topic and area, as well as where the collected data show they can improve. Students can only select from the following four (4) broad topics and each topic must be addressed from a HRM perspective:
➢The inter-generational workforce
➢Monitoring, Risk and Surveillance at work➢Diversity and Inclusion
➢Greening of the Workplace
A limit will be made on how many students (on and off campus) can examine sub-topics within these broader topics, so students will need to discuss their topic with the lecturer in advance and gain approval. The final number for each sub-topic will depend on a range of matters including the number of students enrolled in the semester, the sub-topics that are being offered by the students etc.
StudentsMUSTselect a HRM theory that is relevant to their study topic and be able to justify its use both in this proposal and later in the research project report. The selected theory should align with the HRM literature on the topic being investigated. Students are discouraged from using motivational theories in this unit so that they will explore and become familiar with other theories that are specific to their topic. If a student can justify strongly the use a motivational theory they can approach the lecturer for approval before developing their proposal. A limit may be imposed on the number of students using a particular theory.
Some options that could be used this semester are: Conservation of Resources
Equity Theory
Human Capital Theory
Institutional theory
Job Design
Job Embeddedness Leader-manager Exchange Theory Psychological Contract
Social Capital Theory Social Exchange Theory Stakeholder Theory
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In considering your topic and writing your proposal you must justify each component of the proposal. Students need to consider and respond to these questions when justifying their project:
• WHOdoes the problem affect?
• WHATis the problem? What is connected to the problem? What does HR solving the problem look like?• WHEREdoes the problem occur within an organisation?
• WHYwould anyone care about this issue in an organisation, industry and country?
• HOW are you going to investigate the problem (methodology)? Can this be achieved within the context of this unit?