Q: WHAT IS THE ASSIGNMENT BRIEF?
A: A 2500 word Individual research proposal.
Select a topic (see suggested list below). Formulate a principal research question (and, if relevant, 1-2
subquestions).
Explain how you would address the research question(s) through either:
(a) An extended literature review;
(b) The primary analysis of secondary data (qualitative and/or quantitative); OR
(c) Online primary empirical research (qualitative and/or quantitative).
Critically evaluate the approach you have selected to address the research question(s) in comparison to the
other two options, reflecting on the limitations of your research design and relevant ethical considerations.
Suggested topics: recruitment and selection; leadership; diversity; worklife balance; pay; employee voice;
employee relations and/or motivation; training and development; team work; performance management; and
strategic HRM.
No primary data are to be collected for your research proposal (ULMS875).
If you would like to conduct primary research for your dissertation (ULMS840), collective
approval is available for the topics listed above. Further guidance on the conduct of your
dissertation research and the requirements for ethical approval will be provided in the ULMS840
module. No primary data can be collected without prior ethical approval.