Research Methodology and Study Skills

This assignment provides a detailed compilation of research methodologies, study skills, and online resources from various disciplines. It includes a collection of articles, books, and websites that cater to different needs of students, researchers, and professionals. The list covers topics such as qualitative research, quantitative research, action research, environmental education, international research in mathematics education, educational research competencies, methodology meets culture, transdisciplinary research, research in education, participatory research methodologies, and visual methodologies. Additionally, it features a selection of online resources that provide training and development in employee skills. The assignment is ideal for students, researchers, and professionals seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in research methodologies and study skills.

Research Methods for
Business Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Research Proposal............................................................................................................................2
Background information.........................................................................................................2
Research Aim.........................................................................................................................2
Research Objective.................................................................................................................2
Rationale of the study.............................................................................................................3
Significance of study..............................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................4
Research Methodology....................................................................................................................6
Time scale........................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
In the present time, personnel play a very crucial role within the company by which
business performance can be enhanced in an effective manner. Human resource is very crucial
part within the company because each and every activity of business is carried out by the
workforce. In every functional department like human resource, finance, marketing,
administration etc. employees play a significant role. In the absence of them, no company can
carry out its functioning and operations. Hence, it is very important for management to manage
employees’ skills, efficiency and performance in such manner through which they can perform in
more excellent manner (Kriz, Gummesson and Quazi, 2013). Proper management of employee’s
performance is very significant by which they can get motivated for higher performance. Thus, it
is very important to manage individuals in an effective manner through which they can be
retained within company for long time. In this manner, training and development is an effective
way for managing the employee's performance within the company. It is also very important for
management to enhance the skill, competency and efficiency of employees within the company
by which they can enhance business performance. With assistance of training and development
program within the company, management can improve the performance and competency in an
excellent manner. Along with this, employees have an opportunity to expand their existing
knowledge, skills, capability and ability. This assist workers to enhance their personality and
professionalism within the company so that they can give the best outcome to corporation and
attain the determined objective within specified time period. There are major two kinds of
training and development program within the company that are on the job training and off the job
training (Gay, Mills and Airasian, 2011). In the context of on the job training, organisation
provides the training and development opportunity to employees at the workplace itself. On the
other hand, in the context of off the job training, the trainees are away from the work
environment, that eliminates stress, frustration and bustle of day to day job.
The present research study is based on the significance of training and development
program on the employee's performance within the company. Thus, researcher will focus on the
job training and development program for enhance its employee’s performance. In order to
address this objective of analysing the impact of on the job training on employee's performance
within the company, researcher will apply various methods and techniques of research
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methodology. The present research proposal will provide detail understanding and knowledge
about on the job training and development program on the employee's performance and
productivity.
Research Proposal
Background information
Training and development is one of the most crucial aspect in the company by which firm
can enhance the competency and strength of business. This is a kind of program which provides
an opportunity to employees for enhancing their skills, knowledge, ability and capability. Once
employees have improved their competency and strength, then it becomes easy to attain the
target of organisation in the fastest manner. In addition to this, this assist in overcoming the
wastage from the company operations (McMillan and Schumacher, 2014). Training and
development is one of the most crucial aspect within the company which direct impact upon the
profitability and productivity of business. In the present research project, researcher will focus on
the job training and development program for enhance its employee’s performance. In order to
address this objective of examining the impact of on the job training on employee's performance
within the company, researcher will apply various methods and techniques of research
methodology. The major objective of this research proposal is to analyse the impact of on the job
training program upon the employee's performance within John Lewis. For attaining this
objective, researcher will apply qualitative research technique.
Research Aim
To analyse the impact of on the job training program upon the employee's performance within
John Lewis
Research Objective
To explore the meaning and concept of training and development of employees
To identify various methods of on the job training within the company
To analyse the impact of on the job training upon employee’s performance within John Lewis
To recommend various strategies to enhance employee’s performance by use of training and
development program
Research Questions
 What is the meaning and concept of training and development of employees?
 What are various methods of on the job training within the company?
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 How on the job training can influence the performance of employees within the
company?
 What are different strategies to enhance employee’s performance by use of training and
development program?
Rationale of the study
In the research project, the major objective of scholar is to analyse the impact of on the
job training program upon the employee's performance within John Lewis. The major reason for
selection of this topic is that researcher wants to explore their existing knowledge and
understanding about the implication of training and development (Panneerselvam, 2014). In
addition to this, training and development is very crucial topic which have huge importance for
employees and for the organisation that is why researcher have selected this topic for further
investigation. Furthermore, researcher have sufficient data and information on this topic that is
why this topic has been selected. Apart from that, scholar have huge interest in this topic as
researcher wanted to explore their theoretical knowledge about the training and development in
practical form that is why scholar has selected this topic as research topic.
Significance of study
Training and development is one of the most crucial aspect in the company by which firm
can enhance the competency and strength of business. This is a kind of program which provides
an opportunity to employees for enhance their skill, knowledge, ability and capability etc. In this
present study, researcher have major objective is to analyse the impact of on the job training
program upon the employee's performance within the John Lewis. Thus, with assistance of this
study, researcher can gain the detail knowledge and understanding about training and
development and its impact upon employee’s performance within the company (Silverman,
2016). Furthermore, this study also assists the researcher in exploring the knowledge about the
on the job training and its significance within the company and its employee’s performance.
Training and development within the company can enhance the profitability and productivity of
business because this method support employees in enhancing their skills, knowledge, ability and
capability. Thus, it can be said that this study is very significant to gain the knowledge about the
impact of training and development on the business performance.
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Literature Review
Meaning of training and development
According to the view of Baur and Haase, (2015) training and development as a function
concerned with organisational activity aimed at bettering the job performance of individuals and
groups in organisational setting. It is an educational process which involves the sharpening of
skills, concepts, changing of attitudes and gaining more knowledge to enhance the performance
of human resource. It can be said that training and development is an official and ongoing
educational activities within the company which designed to enhance the fulfilment and
performance of the employees. In the context of company, training and development program
within the corporation can organise for enhancing the existing knowledge, skill, ability,
capability and strength of employees related to their work. With assistance of this training and
development program, firm can enhance the capability of employees through which firm
profitability and productivity can enhance in effective manner. Bae, Song and Kim, (2012) stated
that training and development programs offered by a business might include a variety of
educational techniques and programs that can be attended on a compulsory or voluntary basis by
staff. There are major two kind of training program which assit to individual in enhnacing their
skill, ability and knowledge. Training and development is divided in two method that is on the
job training and off the training. On the job training is that training method under which have
principle of learning by performing. In this active participation is necessary because trainees
produce the products during learning This program offers to employees through which they can
enhance their personality and professionalism at the workplace. Any firm organise training
program for increase profitability and productivity of business because by this activity,
employees can enhance their knowledge, skills and ability which directly influence performance
of business. On the other hand in the off the job training when the employees are given training
outside the actual work location; such a type of training is termed as off the job training method.
It is a theoretical approach of training which do not require active participation of individual.
Significance of training and development
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According to the view of Avery and Jing, (2011) training and development have huge
importance within the company by which it can enhance the capability of employees through
which firm profitability and productivity can be enhanced in an effective manner This program
offers ways to employees through which they can enhance their personality and professionalism
at the workplace. Training and development as a function concerned with organisational activity
aimed at bettering the job performance of individuals and groups in organisational setting. It is
an educational process which involves the sharpening of skills, concepts, changing of attitudes
and gaining more knowledge to enhance the performance of human resource. In order to change
the working criteria and implement the new practices within the company, training and
development plays a very crucial role within the company. The change leads to the need for
training and development and it leads to individual and organisation change and the cycle goes
on and on. In the opinion of Arnulf and et.al., (2014) in order to implement the new technology
and resource training and development required in huge manner within the company. In order to
provide the knowledge about the new technology, it is very important for the company to
conduct training and development program. Training and development program also assist to the
company in motivating employees as they can retain within the company for long time.
Types of training methods
According to the view of Alessandri and et.al., (2012) there are major two kinds of training and
development program that is on the job training and off the job training. In the context of on the
job training, it refers to a form of training which is provided at the work place during the
performance of the actual job. On the job training program is a practical approach which have
principle of learning by performing. In this, active participation is necessary because trainees
produce the products during learning (Training and development. 2017). It is inexpensive
method and mostly suitable for manufacturing companies. With assistance of on the job training
method, company can enhance the existing knowledge of employees so as they can improve their
personality and professionalism. On the job training method is mostly organised by the company
where there is requirement of train the employees. While any firm implement the new
technology and practices then it conducts on the job training program so as their employees can
learn the knowledge about new technology and method. On the other hand, in the context of off
the job training, this method is that when the employees are given training outside the actual
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work location; such a type of training is termed as off the job training method. It is a theoretical
approach of training which do not require active participation of individual.
Impact of on the job training program on the employee’s performance
According to the view of Agarwal and et.al., (2012) on the job training is that training
method under which have principle of learning by performing. In this active participation is
necessary because trainees produce the products during learning. It is inexpensive method and
mostly suitable for manufacturing companies. It refers to a form of training which is provided at
the work place during the performance of the actual job. In the opinion of on the job training
method, company can enhance the skills, knowledge, ability and efficiency within the workplace.
In order to implement the changes and new structure of business working, on the job training is
very important aspect by which corporation can enhance its workforce competency. With
assistance of on the job training method, company can encourage the motivation level of
employees as they motivate for high performance within the company. (Smith, 2015) On the job
training method provides opportunity to employees for improve their personality and
professionalism. This also assist to employees in enhancing their working criteria and working
practices. With assistance of this method, various employees can enhance their knowledge,
ability, criteria of working, capability etc. which helps in improving the quality of working
within the company. While employees effectively enhance their ability, knowledge and skill with
help of on the job training then it becomes easier to enhance the quality of business and
productivity of working within the organisation. Thus, it can be said that with help of on the job
training method is very beneficial within the company by which employees have opportunity to
enhance their skill, working criteria and ability about the working at the workplace. Employees
can enhance their level of standard with help of on the job training within the company. Thus, it
can be said that while employee’s knowledge, standard of working, criteria, skill and ability
enhance with help of on the job training program then organisational performance and
productivity can automatically improve. Thus, it can be said that on the job training have huge
importance within the company for enhance employee’s performance.
Research Methodology
In the entire research study, research methodology is one of the most significant chapter
which assist to scholar in addressing right outcome at the right time and at the right place.
Research methodology is one of the most significant aspect which helps in analysing, assessing
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and interpreting information about the subject by which right solution can easily obtain (Acker,
2012). In a simple word it can be said that research methodology is a systematic, theoretical
analysis of the methods applied to a field of study (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). There
are various methods included in research methodology such as research approach, research
philosophies, research design, data collection, data analysis, sampling etc. In the present study,
the major objective of scholar is to analyse the impact of on the job training program upon the
employee's performance within the John Lewis. For attain this objective, researcher will apply
following methods of research methodology- Research Philosophies- It is significant way to conduct study of research for obtain
appropriate outcome within specific period. This provide effective way to address the
alternative solution of research problem. In the absence, research philosophies, scholar
cannot address the appropriate solution of research problem (Research Methodology.
2015). There are major two kinds of research philosophies that are interpretivism and
positivism. In the present study, for attaining the objective about to impact of training and
development on employee's performance, scholar will apply positivism research
philosophies. Research approach- This is another crucial aspect of research approach which assist to
scholar in analysing the objective of research study. This is significant method for
assessing right outcome of research problem (English and Kirshner, 2016). In order to
attain the right solution of research problem, research approach is very important method
in research methodology. There are major two kinds of research approach that is
inductive and deductive. In the present study, for attain the objective related to analyse
the impact of on the job training upon employee’s performance. Research technique- Research technique is another one of the most crucial technique in
the research methodology which assist to obtaining the right solution of research problem
at the right time. In the absence of research technology, it is impossible for scholar to
obtain right solution of study (Robson and McCartan, 2016). There are major two kinds
of technique such as qualitative and quantitative research technique. In the qualitative
research technique, some methods included such as focus groups, individual interviews
and participation, observations. On the other hand, in the quantitative research technique,
researcher can quantify the problem by way of generating numerical data that can be
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transformed into usable statistics (Leavy, 2016). Quantitative data collection method
includes various forms of survey such as online survey, paper survey, mobile survey, face
to face interviews, telephone interview. In the present study, researcher will apply
qualitative research technique for analyse the impact of on the job training upon
employee’s performance within John Lewis company. Data collection- Data collection is that systematic and important method in the research
methodology by which scholar can collect the information about the subject. There are
major two method of data collection that is primary and secondary. In the primary data
collection, scholar can collect information from primary sources such as interview,
questionnaire, survey, observation etc (Baskerville and Wood-Harper, 2016). On the
other hand, in the secondary data collection, scholar can collect information from
secondary sources such as books, journals, online blogs, articles etc. In this present study,
scholar can collect information from primary source such as survey. Scholar will conduct
survey of 20 employees who are working in the John Lewis company in order to collect
primary information about the impact of on the job training and development method on
the performance of employees.
 Sampling- Sampling is another important method in the research methodology by which
some specific group of people can selected for obtain information (Özerdem and Bowd,
2016). It is a process under which researcher can select some people from large number
of population. In the present study, scholar have major objective is to analyse the impact
of on the job training upon employee’s performance (Rose, 2016). For attain this
objective, researcher will select 20 employees of the John Lewis company and collect
information about the impact of on the job training and development upon the employees
working within the John Lewis.
Time scale
ACTIVITY/WEEK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Develop research
Aim and objective
Rationale of the
study
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Significance of the
study
Literature review
Research
methodology
Data collection
Analysis and
interpretation
Recommendation
and conclusion
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Acker, J., 2012. Gendered organizations and intersectionality: problems and
possibilities. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal. 31(3). pp.214-
224.
Agarwal, U. A. and et.al., 2012. Linking LMX, innovative work behaviour and turnover
intentions: The mediating role of work engagement. Career Development
International. 17(3). pp.208-230.
Alessandri, G. and et.al., 2012. The utility of positive orientation in predicting job performance
and organisational citizenship behaviors. Applied Psychology. 61(4). pp.669-698.
Arnulf, J. K. and et.al., 2014. Predicting survey responses: How and why semantics shape survey
statistics on organizational behaviour. PloS one. 9(9). p.e106361.
Avery, G. C. and Jing, F. F., 2011. Missing links in understanding the relationship between
leadership and organizational performance. International Business & Economics Research
Journal. 7(5). pp.25-65
Bae, S. H., Song, J. H. and Kim, H. K., 2012. Teachers’ creativity in career technical education:
The mediating effect of knowledge creation practices in the learning organization. The
Korean Social Science Journal. 39(1). pp.59-81.
Baskerville, R.L. and Wood-Harper, A.T., 2016. A critical perspective on action research as a
method for information systems research. In Enacting Research Methods in Information
Systems: Volume 2 (pp. 169-190). Springer International Publishing.
Baur, A. and Haase, H. M., 2015. The influence of active participation and organisation in
environmental protection activities on the environmental behaviour of pupils: study of a
teaching technique. Environmental Education Research. 21(1). pp. 92-105.
English, L.D. and Kirshner, D., 2016. Changing agendas in international research in mathematics
education. Handbook of International Research in Mathematics Education [3rd Ed.], 3,
pp.3-18.
Gay, L. R., Mills, G. E. and Airasian, P. W., 2011. Educational research: Competencies for
analysis and applications. Pearson Higher Ed.
Kriz, A., Gummesson, E. and Quazi, A., 2013. Methodology meets culture: Relational and
Guanxi-oriented research in China. International Journal of Cross Cultural Management.
Kumar, R., 2014. Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. SAGE.
Leavy, P., 2016. Essentials of transdisciplinary research: Using problem-centered
methodologies. Routledge.
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McMillan, J. H. and Schumacher, S., 2014. Research in education: Evidence-based inquiry.
Pearson Higher Ed.
Özerdem, A. and Bowd, R., 2016. Participatory research methodologies: Development and post-
disaster/conflict reconstruction. Routledge.
Panneerselvam, R., 2014. Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Robson, C. and McCartan, K., 2016. Real world research. John Wiley & Sons.
Rose, G., 2016. Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials.
Sage.
Silverman, D., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Smith, J.A., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
Research Methodology. 2015. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/studyskills/assessment_evaluation/dissertations/
methodology.html>.
Training and development. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.allencomm.com/resource/what-is-employee-training-development/>
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