Department of Management
“Developing tomorrow’s leaders today”
Methods of organizational Research
MANA 5329 - 001
Fall Semester 2011
Class Days: Thursday
Time: 7:00 – 9:50 p.m.
Location: COBA 251
Instructor Name: Dr. Marcus Butts Office: COBA 212
Phone: 817-272-3855 E-mail:
(Better to contact me through e-mail than to leave a phone voice mail)
Office hours: by appt.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The aim of this course is to provide a theoretical and practical overview of organization research methods. The course introduces the basic principles of applied research in organizations including research design, data collection and hypothesis testing. You will gain practical knowledge in how to collect data, choose appropriate statistical tests, interpret findings and write feedback reports. The examples in class will focus on human resource decisions in organizations. You will learn a number of quantitative decision making techniques for common human resource management issues such as recruiting, absenteeism, turnover, training evaluation, performance management and others. While the focus is in human resource management issues, the skills learned in this course will allow all managers to make evidence based decisions through data collection, analysis and presentation.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
· Understand organizational research process and its application through HR analytics.
· Appreciate the techniques used to link HR metrics to strategy and organizational performance.
· Understand the rationale and tools for using a data driven approach to the design, implementation and evaluation of management practices.
· Demonstrate applied skills in developing hypotheses and research designs appropriate for hypothesis testing.
· Demonstrate applied skills in using statistical techniques including correlation, t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, and multiple regression.
· Demonstrate applied skills in data presentation and technical report writing.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of MANA 5329 students will be able to:
· Detail a process by which HR metrics could be causally linked to organizational performance.
· Select an appropriate statistical test for a given hypothesis and set of data.
· Correctly interpret the results of hypothesis tests using correlation, t-test, ANOVA, Chi-square, and multiple regression.
· Summarize the findings of an organizational research project in presentation form.
REQUIRED TEXT
Cascio, W. & Boudreau, J. 2008. Investing in People: Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives. Upper Saddle River, NJ: FT Press.
Field, A., 2009, Discovering Statistics Using SPSS, Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
A set of readings are available for purchase through Harvard Business School Publishing. These readings are noted on the syllabus as (HBS). To obtain the HBS readings and cases, you will need to purchase the cases from Harvard’s website.
Cases & Readings: http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/access/9975366
Additional required readings are listed on the course schedule. These readings will are available through Blackboard (http://www.elearn.uta.edu). Please check Blackboard often. There you will be able to access class material as well as your grades. Other readings may be assigned or handed out during class.
GRADING
A grade of A (90%), B (80%), C (70%), D (60%), or F (<60%) will be earned based on:
Midterm Exam 25%
Final Exam 25%
Problem Sets (5) 45%
Attendance and Participation _5%
Total 100%
It is critical that you regularly attend class and participate in a positive and constructive manner. The class is conducted in a seminar format with numerous in class exercises. Students may be assigned various topics and will be responsible for leading the discussion during particular classes. The instructor's evaluation of your class room participation will account for 5% of your final grade. On-time attendance is important in this class, and missing classes will impact your final grade.
EXAMS
Exams will take place during normal class times. Bring a #2 pencil and a bluebook. Tests may consist of multiple choice, true/false, and short answer and essay questions about the material covered in the course including all assigned readings, videos, and in class exercises.
ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
Attendance in class is expected. Because this is an interactive class, outside work is important. All required readings should be completed and prepared for discussion before class. Class participation and completion of assignments is essential in order to gain maximum benefit from the course and will count as 5% of your final grade. Your participation is evaluated on your attendance, preparation for class, and the quality of contributions you make to discussions and exercises in the classroom.
DROP POLICY
It is the student's responsibility to complete the course or withdraw from the course in accordance with University Regulations. Students will not be dropped by the instructor for non-attendance. Students are strongly encouraged to verify their grade status before dropping a course after the first withdrawal date. A student who drops a course after the first withdrawal date may receive an "F" in the course if the student is failing at the time the course is dropped. Please refer to the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs and the Schedule of Classes for specific university policies and dates.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
The University supports a variety of student success programs to help you connect with the University and achieve academic success. They include learning assistance, developmental education, advising and mentoring, admission and transition, and federally funded programs. Students requiring assistance academically, personally, or socially should contact the Office of Student Success Programs at 817-272-6107 for more information and appropriate referrals.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are a student who requires accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please consult with me at the beginning of the semester. As a faculty member, I am required by law to provide “reasonable accommodation” to students with disabilities, so as not to discriminate on the basis of that disability. Your responsibility is to inform me of the disability at the beginning of the semester and provide me with documentation authorizing the specific accommodation. Student services at UTA include the Office for Students with Disabilities (located in the lower level of the University Center or 272-3364) which is responsible for verifying and implementing accommodations to ensure equal opportunity in all programs and activities.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic dishonesty is a completely unacceptable mode of conduct and will not be tolerated in any form at The University of Texas at Arlington. All persons involved in academic dishonesty will be disciplined in accordance with University regulations and procedures. Discipline may include suspension or expulsion from the University.
“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts.” (Regents’ Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2., Subdivision 3.22).
BOMB THREATS
Section 22.07 of the Texas Criminal Law states that a Class A misdemeanor is punishable by (1) a fine not to exceed $4,000, (2) a jail term of not more than one year, or (3) both such a fine and confinement. If anyone is tempted to call in a bomb threat, be aware that UTA has the technology to trace phone calls. Every effort will be made to avoid cancellation of presentation/ tests caused by bomb threats to the Business Building. Unannounced alternate sites will be available for these classes. If a student who has a class with a scheduled test or presentation arrives and the building has been closed due to a bomb threat, the student should immediately check for the alternate class site notice which will be posted on/near the main doors on the south side of the Business building. UTA's Crimestoppers may provide a reward to anyone providing information leading to an arrest. To make an anonymous report, call 817-272-5245.
EVACTUATION PROCEDURES
In the event of an evacuation of the College of Business building, when the fire alarm sounds, everyone must leave the building by the stairs. With the fire alarm system we now have, the elevators will all go to the first floor and stay there until the system is turned off. All those in the North tower side of the building should proceed to the fire escape stairs located on the East and West sides of that wing. Disabled persons please go to the Northeast fire stairs. We have an evacu track chair located on the 6th floor stairwell. We have people trained in the use of this chair and there will be someone that will go to the 6th floor to get the chair and bring it to any lower floor stairwell to assist disabled persons. Should this be a real emergency, the Arlington Fire Department and UTA Police will also be here to help.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Marcus Butts (Ph.D., The University of Georgia) is an Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Texas at Arlington. He teaches courses in general management, HRM, organizational behavior, and research methods. His current research includes high involvement work practices, organizational work-family issues, mentoring, careers, and research methods. Dr. Butts’ work has appeared in journals such as Personnel Psychology, Human Resource Management, Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, Journal of Vocational Behavior, Journal of Organizational Behavior, and Organizational Research Methods.
Prior to his position at UTA, Dr. Butts worked as a project manager for Hewitt Associates—a large international HR benefits consulting corporation. Over the years, Dr. Butts has provided HR consulting services to a variety of clients such as McKee Foods, Wal-Mart, Chick-Fil-A, Home Depot, UPS, and HumRRO. He also has been involved in numerous large-scale research grants from both the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
3
Tentative Timetable and Required assignments
This table is meant as a tentative schedule; some modifications may be necessary. Please note, all assigned readings must be completed BEFORE the class for which they are assigned.
Date Topic & Assignments
Week 1 / August 25 / Introduction to the courseBlackboard
“Data Driven HC Decisions”
“Data Mining Moves to Human Resources”
Week 2 / September 1 / Introduction to SPSS
Discovering Statistics pp.18-26 and Chapter 3
SPSS DAY – Class Meets in OIT Computer Lab Room # 339
Problem Set #1 Handed Out
Week 3 / September 8 / Introduction to HR Metrics and Analytics
Investing in People Chapter 1
Blackboard
HR Metrics and Analytics: Uses and Impacts
HBS Reading
“Clarifying HR’s Strategic Impact” (1527BC)
Week 4 / September 15 / Exploring Data and SPSS Charts
Discovering Statistics Chapters 4 and 5
SPSS DAY – Class Meets in OIT Computer Lab Room #339
Problem Set #1 Due
Problem Set #2 Handed Out
Week 5 / September 22 / Research Fundamentals
Discovering Statistics pp.3-18
Investing in People Chapter 2
HBS Reading
“Principles of Good Measurement” (1530BC)
Week 6 / September 29 / Descriptive Statistics and Correlation
Discovering Statistics Chapters 2 and 6
Problem Set #2 Due
Problem Set #3 Handed Out
Week 7 / October 6 / Hypothesis Testing
Discovering Statistics Chapters 9 and 10 pp 686-699
Blackboard
“Data and Metrics Driven Approach to HR Practices”
Week 8 / October 13 / Data Analysis in SPSS
SPSS DAY – Class Meets in OIT Computer Lab Room # 339
Problem Set #3 Due
Midterm Problem Set Handed Out (due in 2 weeks)
Week 9 / October 20 / MIDTERM EXAM (In-class portion)
Week 10 / October 27 / Linear & Multivariate Regression
Discovering Statistics Chapter 9
Midterm Problem Set Due
Week 11 / November 3 / Regression in SPSS
SPSS DAY – Class Meets in OIT Computer Lab Room # 340
Problem Set #4 Handed Out
Week 12 / November 10 / Regression in SPSS II
SPSS DAY – Class Meets in OIT Computer Lab Room # 339
Week 13 / November 17 / Employee Attitudes and Engagement
Investing in People Chapter 6
Blackboard
“Employee Profit Chain at Sears”
HBS Reading
“Getting to the Truth in Workplace Surveys” (R0202K)
Problem Set #4 Due
Problem Set #5 Handed Out
Week 14 / November 24 / THANKSGIVING
Week 15 / December 1 / “Business Cases”, ROI and Cost-Benefit Analysis
Investing in People Chapter 11
HBS Reading
“Cost Benefit Analyses for HR Interventions” (1529BC)
Problem Set #5 Due
Week 16 / December 8 / Utility Analysis and Staffing
Investing in People Chapter 9
Blackboard
“The No-Stats All-Star”
“Count on Productivity Gains”
Final Exam Problem Set Handed Out
December 15 / FINAL EXAM – 8:15pm (In-class Portion)
Final Exam Problem Set Due
3
It is intended that we will have at least one guest speaker during the semester. In order to accommodate these individuals, we will have to be flexible with class scheduling. Therefore the class schedule is intended to be a guideline, subject to change.
3