Research Proposal: HR Practices & Cultural Diversity at Workplace

This research proposal aims to identify the role of HR practices in managing cultural diversity within the workplace, using Costco as a case study. The study explores the importance of HR practices in an organizational context, investigates various strategies Costco can employ to manage cultural diversity, and identifies potential challenges the company may face. The research questions delve into the significance of HR practices, effective management approaches, and potential workplace challenges. The proposal outlines the reasons for choosing the project, referencing key literature sources such as Perucci (2018), Stevenson (2018), and Hood (2020), and details the research methodology, including quantitative investigation, a deductive approach, primary and secondary data collection methods (questionnaires, magazines, books, articles), random sampling, and a Gantt chart for project timelines. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and data security, are addressed through a comprehensive ethical approval form. The research is designed to provide insights into effective HR practices for fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Research Proposal Form
Student Name: ______________________ Student ID:
____________
Centre Name: _____________________
Tutor: ________________ Date:
___________________
Unit: ____________________
Proposed Title: __To identify the role of HR practices in managing cultural diversity at
workplace. A study on Costco
Section One: Title, objective, responsibilities
Title or working title of the research project (in the form of a question, objective or hypothesis)
Aim :- . To identify the role of HR practices in managing cultural diversity at workplace. A
study on Costco.
Research objectives (e.g what is the question you want to answer? What do you want to learn how to do?
What do you want to find out?):
Objectives
 To explore HR practices and its importance in context of an organization.
 To identify several ways through which Costco can manage cultural diversity using
HR practices.
 To determine some challenges that Costco may face while managing cultural
diversity at workplace.
Research questions
 What are the HR practices and its significance in context of an organization?
 What are several ways through which Costco can manage cultural diversity using
HR practices?
 What are the some challenges that Costco may face while managing cultural
diversity at workplace ?
Section Two: Reasons for choosing this research project
Reasons for choosing the project (e.g links to other subjects you are studying, personal interest, future

plans, knowledge/skills you want to improve, why the topic is important):
The main reason behind doing this research is to increase understanding about the several
HR practices that an enterprise must impose in its culture to manage cultural diversity at
workplace. This data will further assist in collecting the accurate information about the role
of HR practices and its utilization in management of cultural diversity. In addition to this,
such type of data can be further applied for academic motive which in turn bring toward
improving the student's knowledge and understanding toward this concept.
Section Three: Literature sources searched
Use of key literature sources to support your research question, objective or hypothesis:
HR practices and its significance in context of an organization
As per the view presented by Perucci (2018), there are number of HR practices such as
safety, healthy and happy workplace, 360 degree performance management feedback
system, fair evaluation system, knowledge sharing, delight employees with the unexpected
etc. These are consider main practices of HR that helps an organization in retention of top
talent and achievement of better outputs. These practices are significant for an organization
in different ways such as improving their brand image, reducing high employee turnover,
managing relationship between managers and employees etc. These importance are
beneficial for the growth and success of company at marketplace.
Several ways through which Costco can manage cultural diversity using HR practices
According to the Stevenson (2018), development of safety, healthy and inclusion working
environment is a best practice of HR that helps Costco to manage cultural diversity at
workplace. In addition to this, development of diversity and inclusion training will also
support company to manage diversity and increase knowledge about the business among
diverse workforce. As it will be beneficial for the growth and success of company at
workplace.
Some challenges that Costco may face while managing cultural diversity at workplace
According to the Hood (2020), there are number of challenges or issue that may face by
Costco while managing cultural diversity at workplace. There are some challenges such as
ethnic and cultural differences, differences in language and communication, generation and
age differences, respecting and accepting the differences of other etc. These are biggest
challenges that have negative and unfavorable impact over business performance and
success.

REFERENCES
Perucci. D., 2018.HR Best Practices. [Online] Available
through:<https://empxtrack.com/blog/top-10-hr-best-practices/>./
Stevenson. M., 2018. Diversity: HR’s Role. [Online] Available
through:<https://www.hrexchangenetwork.com/hr-talent-management/articles/diversity-hrs-
role>./
Hood. A. 2020. 7 Biggest Diversity Issues in The Workplace. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.thiswayglobal.com/blog/top-diversity-issues-in-the-workplace/>./
Section Four: Activities and timescales
Activities to be carried out during the research project (e.g research,
development and analysis of ideas, writing, data collection, numerical analysis,
tutor meetings, production of final outcome, evaluation, writing the report):
How long this will take:
Milestone one:
Target date
Milestone two:
Target date
Milestone Three:
Gantt Chart
This is important part of research as it helps researcher in completion of each activities of
research within set time duration. In this tool, number of activities have been included which
will be shown as below:

Section Five: Research approach and methodologies
What type of research approach and methodologies are you likely to use and why?
What your areas of research will cover:
Research methodology is important part of research as it support researcher in collection of
information or data in form of qualitative and quantitative. In this section of research,
number of useful methods will be included which are:
Types of investigation: Within a research, quantitative type will be applied by researcher
by it support them to gather numerical information regarding the topic. As compare to
qualitative study, this type of investigation not require extra time and resources.
Research approach:- For doing this research, deductive approach will be applied as it is
beneficial for investigator in analyisation of information in quantitative and numerical
manner. Inductive is another kind of approach that is not used within an investigation as it
need data in form of qualitative and also take more time.
Data collection method:- Primary and secondary source of data collection will be applied
for conducting this investigation in systematic manner. Questionnaire will be used for
collecting primary information regarding the HR practices and its role in management of
cultural diversity. Along with this, for gather secondary information, there is requirement for
using number of sources such as magazines, books, articles etc. Therefor, primary and
secondary are useful sources of data collection that will be going to applied by investigator.
Sampling:- Random sampling as an effective type of probability sampling will be used by
researcher for selecting sample size out of total population. 60 employees of Costco will be
recruited on random basis. Main purpose for applying this technique of sampling as it save
time and cost of researcher. Apart from this, non-probabilistic sampling is not appropriate
according to the current investigation because it take more time.
Comments and agreement from tutor
Comments (optional):
I confirm that the project is not work which has been or will be submitted for another qualification and is

appropriate.
Agreed: ________________ (name)_______________ Date ______________
Comments and agreement form project proposal checker( IV sampling)
Comments (Optional):
I confirm that the project is appropriate.
Agreed /Disagree: (Name of the IV) Date

Research Ethics approval form
All students conducting research activity that involves human participants or the use of data
collected form human participants are required to gain ethical approval before commencing
their research. Please answer all relevant questions and note that your form may be returned if
incomplete.
For further support and guidance please see your respective Unit Tutor:
Before completing this form, we advise that you discuss your proposed research fully with
your unit tutor. Please complete this form in good time before your research project is due to
commence.
Section 1: Basic details:
Project title:
To identify the role of HR practices in managing cultural diversity at workplace. A study
on Costco.
Student name:
Student ID number:
Programme:
College Name:
Intended research start date: 01/01/2020
Intended research end date: 20/04/2020
Section 2 Project summary
Please select all research methods that you plan to use as a part of your project:
 Interviews Yes
 Questionnaires Yes
 Observations Yes
 Use of personal records Yes No
 Data Analysis Yes
 Action Research Yes No
 Focus Groups No
 Others (Please specify) : n/a
Section 3: Participants
Please answer the following questions, giving full details where necessary.
Will your research involve human participants?
Yes
Who are the participants? Tick all that apply:
Ages 12-16: No Young people aged: 17-18 No Adults: Yes
How will participants be recruited (identified an approached)?
The participants will be recruited with the use of random sampling method as a type of probability
approach.
Describe the processes you will use to inform participants about what you are doing:
The participants of research will be send with the informed consent form and

questionnaire on email.
How will you obtain consent from participants? Will this be written? How will it be made clear to participants
that they may withdraw consent to participate at any time?
Using Email.
Studies involving questionnaires: will participants be given the option of omitting questions that do not wish
to answer?
Yes
If no please explain why below and ensure that you cover any ethical issues arising from this
Studies involving observation: Confirm whether participants will be asked for their informed consent to be
observed.
Yes
Will you debrief participants at the end of their participation (i.e give them a brief explanation of the study)?
Yes
Will participants be given information about the findings of your study?(This could be a brief summary of
your findings in general)
Yes
Section 4: Data Storage and Security
Confirm that all personal data will be stored and processed in compliance with the Data Protection Act
(1998)
Yes
Who will have access to the data and personal information?
Researcher/Supervisor
During the research:
Reseacher/Supervisor
Where will the data be stored?
USB and Laptop
Will mobile devices such as USB storage and laptops be used
Yes
If Yes, please provide further details:
After the research: Safely dispose of the data
Where will the data be stored?:
USB/Laptop

How long will the data and records be kept for and in what format?
Approx Six months
Will data be kept for use by other researchers? No
Section 5 : Ethical Issues
Are there any particular features of your proposed work, which may raise ethical concerns? If so, please
outline how you will deal with these: N/A
It is important that you demonstrate your awareness of potential risks that may arise because of your
research. Please consider/address all issues that may apply. Ethical concerns may include, but are not
limited to the following :
 Informed consent. Yes
 Potentially vulnerable participants. n/a
 Sensitive topics n/a
 Risk to participants and /or researchers: n/a
 Confidentiality/anonymity: Yes
 Disclosures/ limits to confidentiality: Yes
 Data storage and security, both during and after the research (including transfer, sharing,
encryption, protection). Yes
 Reporting: Yes
 Dissemination and use of your findings: Yes
Section 6: Declaration
I have read, understood and will abide by the institution’s Research and Ethics Policy: Yes
I have discussed the ethical issues relating to my research with my Unit Tutor:
Yes
I confirm that to the best of my knowledge:
The above information is correct, and this is a full description of the ethical issues that may arise in the
course of my research
Name: Date:
Please submit your completed form to your tutor and also attach to the Research Proposal when
submitting to Turnitin.