Evidence-Based Human Resource Management

This unique doctoral programme, Evidence-Based Human Resource Management (MRes/Professional Doctorate), provides you with training in evidence-based practice (EBP). This well-established approach to practice emphasises making better-informed decisions about problems (or opportunities) and potential solutions or interventions through use of the best available evidence from multiple sources. The programme is relevant to practitioners working across all areas relevant to human resource practice and scholarship, including management, learning and development, and internal and external consultancy.

Throughout the Professional Doctorate you will undertake work-based learning, including:

• expert briefings and masterclasses from leading academics and practitioners around each of the four key practice areas in HRM
• seminars and workshops on evidence-based practice
• research methods training to extend your knowledge and skills and develop reflective practice
• peer-learning and group supervision as well as self-learning as appropriate to a research-focused degree.

You will also be allocated a personal supervisor and have access to a wide range of taught courses, professional training courses and networking opportunities. You will have access to a virtual learning environment too, providing you with supplementary materials. It is assumed that you will be able to gain experience and practise and investigate evidence-based Human Resource Management at your workplace.

The first part of the programme constitutes the MRes. In the first year, you take two fundamental evidence modules and a content module focused on assessment and selection. In the second year, which runs from January to December, you take a further three modules to work through the employee life cycle. Each of these modules is assessed by a case study which together will form an evidence-based practice portfolio.

If you pass the first part, you then undertake research methods training and develop proposals for, and undertake, a systematic review and major study, which form your final doctoral thesis, assessed through a viva voce.

Year 1 Modules

Spring term: Evidence-Based Professional Practice Portfolio: The Foundations of Evidence-Based HRM

Summer term: Evidence-Based Professional Practice Portfolio: Critical Appraisal of Scientific and Other Evidence

Autumn term: Evidence-Based Professional Practice Portfolio: Selection and Assessment

Year 2 modules

Spring term: Evidence-Based Professional Practice Portfolio: Learning and Development

Summer term: Evidence-Based Professional Practice Portfolio: Performance, Talent and Reward Management

Autumn term: Evidence-Based Professional Practice Portfolio: Job Satisfaction, Well-being, and Engagement

• Birkbeck was the first institution in the UK to establish teaching and research in occupational psychology over 60 years ago. We continue to play a distinctive role in British occupational psychology - and, increasingly, within organisational behaviour. We are also established experts in using digital technologies to create and maintain an engaged and supportive learning environment for our students.
• Birkbeck is one of the world’s leading research-intensive institutions. Our cutting-edge scholarship informs public policy, achieves scientific advances, supports the economy, promotes culture and the arts, and makes a positive difference to society.
• Our research excellence was confirmed in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework with 83% of our research rated world-leading or internationally excellent.
• You will gain access to superb library resources, including: Birkbeck Library, and our electronic library, the British Library, Senate House (University of London) Library and libraries in the Bloomsbury area.