Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

The unit introduces human resource management students to the notion of evidence based decision making in HR. In this unit, we equip students with knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose problems at their work place, to gather data and information about the problems and to analyse the data and information to derive solutions and inform decision making relating to these problems.

Aims

This unit aims to develop your understanding of systematic decision making in HR using a wide range of data and information gathering and analyses techniques. It builds on the business data analyses knowledge covered in BSB123 and the HR content knowledge in MGB207 to demonstrate how evidence based decision making is practiced in different HR disciplinary areas.

Objectives

Course Learning Goals (Undergraduate)
The QUT Business School has established the Assurance of Learning (AOL) Goals to meet contemporary industry needs and standards. Achieving these learning outcomes will assist you to meet the desired graduate outcomes set at QUT - aligned with other internationally renowned business schools. Students will develop the following capabilities relevant to a contemporary global and sustainable business environment:

Have knowledge and skills pertinent to a particular discipline (KS)

1.1 Integrate and apply disciplinary theory and skills to practical situations
1.2 Incorporate the use of technology appropriate to the discipline and context

Be critical thinkers and effective problem solvers (CTA)

2.1 Identify, research and critically analyse information relevant to a business problem or issue, be able to synthesise that information in order to evaluate potential solutions, make recommendations or otherwise effectively address the problem or issue

Be professional communicators in an intercultural context (PC)

3.1 Communicate effectively through written tasks appropriate to varied contexts and audiences
3.2 Communicate effectively through professional oral presentations appropriate to varied contexts and audiences

Be able to work effectively in a Team Environment (TW)

4.1 Demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of a group output

Have a Social and Ethical Understanding (SEU)

5.1 Apply ethical reasoning, standards or codes of practice relevant to the discipline and make decisions that are informed by social and cultural understanding


Unit Objectives
Upon completion of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Critically discuss the nature of scientific enquiry and the objectives of the research process to inform human resource decision making.
2. Analyse published research papers in terms of the theoretical and methodological adequacy as they apply to the development of solution to human resource issues.
3. Design, execute, and report on research into human resource issues requiring decisions relating to intervention recommendations.
4. Analyse research data to feed into decision making relevant to the human resource context.



The specific course learning goals and unit objectives that apply to this unit are shown in the assessment section of this unit outline.

Content

Overview of the research process:

Introduction to decision making in a human resources context

The nature of scientific inquiry and its role in HR decision making

Evaluating and critically reviewing research in HR

Research methods and designs that support effective human resource decision making

Data analysis and synthesis to support effective human resource decision making in organsiations

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Delivery of this unit will involve a blend of lectures and tutorials delivered in both face-to-face and online modes. Reading materials are also prepared for this unit to facilitate better understanding of the lecture and tutorial materials. You are expected to read the set reading materials before classes are scheduled. Lectures are designed to assist you in the 'application' of the reading materials through participative class exercises. Tutorials will help you in developing your assignment. Tutorials are designed to enable you to gain hands on skills in searching for literature, and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis.

This unit uses the SafeAssign tool in BlackBoard. SafeAssign is a text matching tool that assists students to develop the academic skills required to correctly use and cite reference material as well as to check citations and determine possible instances of plagiarism. You will be expected to submit draft and/or final versions of one or more assignments using SafeAssign. Your Unit Coordinator will provide detailed information on how the software will be used in this unit.

Assessment

The assessment in this unit aims to support your achievement of the learning objectives for both Discipline Knowledge and Other Graduate Capabilities. Assessment has been designed in order to allow you to:

Demonstrate your learning in order to achieve a final grade (summative assessment).

Students will receive feedback in various forms throughout the semester which may include:

Informal: worked examples, such as verbal feedback in class, personal consultation

Formal: in writing, such as checklists (e.g. criteria sheets), written commentary

Direct: to individual students, either in written form or in consultation

Indirect: to the whole class

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: You will conduct a literature search on your chosen question within a research area selected by the unit coordinator (This will be done as a tutorial class exercise). Based on the literature search, you will produce an integrated literature review and recommendations for research methods which can be employed to assist in informing practical workplace decisions regarding your topic.
Length/Duration: 1,500 words
Formative or Summative: Formative and Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 3 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 6

Assessment name: Research Report
Description: This report will summarise a human resource problem, outline data methods that have been employed, and review the results of the qualitative and quantitative investigations. You will use this information to inform and report your decisions about what interventions the organisation should employ as it tackles the human resource problem.
Length/Duration: 3,000 words
Formative or Summative: Summative
Relates to objectives: Unit objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and AOL goals: KS (1.1), CTA (2.1), PC (3.1)
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Prescribed Text

Saunders, M.,Thornhill, P. & Lewis, A. (2012). Research Methods for Business Students (6th ed.), London: Prentice Hall.

Griffith, A. (2007). SPSS for dummies. Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley.
E-book available from QUT library

Other Resources

The following are useful references, including textbooks, journals and websites. Additional references can also be found at the unit's blackboard site.

Bouma, G. D. (1996) The Research Process. Melbourne: Oxford University of Press.
Cavana, R.Y., Delahaye, B. & Sekaran, U. (2001) Applied Business Research: Qualitative and Quantative Methods. Milton, Queensland: John Wiley.
Coakes, S.J. & Steed, L.G. (2001) SPSS Analysis without Anguish. Brisbane: Wiley.
Sekaran, U. (2000) Research Methods for Business: A Skill-Building Approach (3rd ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons, Incorporated.
Zikmund, W. G., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C., & Griffin, M. (2008) Business Research Methods (8th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with lectures or tutorials in this unit. You should, however, familiarise yourself with evacuation procedures operating in the buildings in which you attend classes and take the time to
view the Emergency video.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 01-Feb-2013