Introduction
As you develop your career as a people professional you will be involved in solving more and more complex organisational problems. The challenge is to find reliable trustworthy solutions and not be distracted by unreliable facts, outdated and biased opinions or superficial quick fixes.
The CIPD promotes an evidence-based approach to people management to enable people professionals to increase their level of influence, making better, more effective decisions, to help organisations achieve their goals.
The purpose of this unit is for you to apply evidence-based practice to a people focused business issue, demonstrating your research skills and ability to write a persuasive business report.
The assessment will address all assessment criteria of this unit, with a mark awarded for each of the four LOs. Watch the supporting video for this unit: https://youtu.be/IvHqCCPto5A.
Assessment task
Identify a people focused business issue that has strategic relevance to your organisation or one you are familiar with, plan and complete an original business research project that develops a set of business focused recommendations to address the identified people issue.
Size of your project does not matter for this paper; it might be even a small project.
DO NOT write on the project which has already been completed, choose a real CURRENT business issue and write your research paper on how you are dealing with it – from problem identification to recommendations. Do real primary research.
Your research report should be approximately 4000 words (min 3600 and max 4400 words) and include the sections listed below. Insert the full wording of respective LO into your report. It IS NOT included in the total word count.
DO NOT use bullet pointed text, adopt an academic, paragraph style of writing.
As this is an Advanced Level Diploma, it is important that you are able to demonstrate not only good knowledge and understanding of the material associated with each learning outcome, but also the ability to develop an original argument and justify it persuasively with reference to a good scope of relevant wider reading, with vast majority of authoritative sources. Read “FY26 L7 Programme content overview” on VLE where you can find some Learning resources to consider and start with in your research. (VLE ->Programme Introduction and overview-> Programme Info & Materials ->FY26 L7 Programme content overview). Please apply Harvard referencing style.
Pay attention to presentation of the work, avoid e.g. inconsistency with the font and font sizes etc.
In case of refer, please use Track changes on each resubmission to enable clear audit trail of changes made.
To address Learning Outcome 1: Be able to plan a people practice business research project aimed at adding organisational value.
An introduction
The introduction should clearly and concisely explain the issue that needs investigation and explain why the issue needs to be investigated in this organisation, at this point in time.
Terms of Reference
This sets the parameters of your research and should include the research aim, some explanation of where in the organisation the research will take place, along with the resources and timeframes necessary for its completion. Attach a GANTT chart as an appendix to set out the timeline for each stage of the project.
Literature Review
This is a critical analysis and thematic review of existing published material and reputable on-line sources that directly relate to the research aim and objectives. As knowledge does not exist in a vacuum, your work will only have value in relation to other people’s research evidence. The literature review should then help to develop the research questions and inform the recommendations you later make as a result of your research.
Research Questions
Drawing upon the review of the published literature, develop meaningful research questions/objectives to help guide your own primary research. It is important that these align to the research aim. Attach evidence of primary research as an appendix (questionnaire or any other method applied).
To address Learning Outcome 2: Be able to justify the most appropriate research methods to collect data for the chosen project.
Research methodology
This section of the report should explain and justify the research strategy and design for your primary research, the research population and sample, and how this was selected.
In addition, it should critically discuss the potential limitations of the data collection methods and any ethical issues, along with how your research will adhere to the main ethical principles of such research.
It is essential that research texts are referenced in this Learning Outcome to further support and justify your methodology.
To address Learning Outcome 3: Be able to analyse data to make decisions and provide business and people management insights.
An analysis and presentation of the data collected from the primary research
Having completed your primary research, you need to analyse the raw data collected, both quantitative and/or qualitative using appropriate methods to present this. Supporting charts are to be included in Appendix.
A discussion of the research findings
The purpose of this section is to discuss and make sense of the project’s findings. You should compare and contrast your research findings with those identified from the published literature, identifying the key themes and their significance to the research aim and strategic implications for the organisation.
To address Learning Outcome 4: Be able to propose recommendations based on conclusions derived from the research and analysis.
Conclusion
Justify the conclusions derived from the analysis of the findings. These should summarise the main threads of the research findings, both primary and secondary and be aligned to the research aim and questions/objectives and terms of reference.
Recommendations
A business focused and evidence-based set of recommendations should be developed to address the research aim and initial business issue.
The recommendations should be practical strategic actions, supported by an operational implementation plan AND a strategic cost-benefit analysis aimed at the decision makers.
To create a persuasive business report, it is important to highlight the potential business impact, so for example, any cost savings and/or an increase in revenue that could be associated with the recommendations.
Include both, the action plan and cost- benefit analysis within an appendix. Appendix is excluded from the word count.
Personal Reflections
Critically review your research skills and evaluate the learning that has taken place. Include what went well or not so well, what subject knowledge and research skills you have gained, and how you could improve any future research design.
You should also identify and state clearly any learning objectives to include as a part of your continuous professional development.
Personal reflections section is excluded from the word count
Your evidence must consist of:
A business report of 4000 words (+/- 10%), refer to CIPD word count policy. Although it is recognised that research projects will be diverse and as a result are likely to have varying needs, a suggested allocation of words to each to Learning Outcome is:
LO 1 – 30%, LO2 – 20%, LO3 – 30%, LO4 – 20%
Please note the following are excluded from the word count:
- Contents page
- Executive summary (if included, there is no requirement to do so)
- Reference list and bibliography
- Essential appendices
- o GANTT Chart
- o Evidence of primary research
- o Action plan (operational implementation plan)
- o Cost – benefit analysis
- Personal reflections
The report content, its headings and subheadings, and in-text citations are all included within the word count.
Marking Grid
Learners will receive a Pass, Merit, Distinction or Refer/Fail result at unit level.
Mark needs to in line with the generic grade descriptors provided on the last page of this brief. Be able to plan a people practice business research project aimed at adding organisational value.
Mark is to be provided by marker for each learning outcome. Verbal developmental feedback will be provided where the learner has been awarded a mark of 1 to navigate them in resubmission. Summary verbal comments on the assessment overall will be provided at the end of feedback sheet.
To pass the unit assessment learners must achieve a 2 (Pass) or above for each of the learningoutcomes.
The overall mark achieved will dictate the grade the learner receives for the Unit, provided NONE of the learning outcomes have been failed or referred.
|
Overall mark |
Unit result |
|
0 to 7 |
Refer / Fail |
|
8 or 9 |
Pass |
|
10 to 13 |
Merit |
|
14 to 16 |
Distinction |
Also please note that capping is in place. Where resubmitted work meets an assessment criterion, it should be given a maximum mark of 2. The overall unit grade for resubmissions should be capped at a ‘Pass’.