Celine Rojon

On the attributes of a critical literature review

Exploring and evaluating findings from previous research is an essential aspect of all research projects enabling the work to be set in the context of what is known and what is not known. This necessitates a critical review of the literature in which existing research is discussed and evaluated, thereby contextualising and justifying the project. In this research note we consider what is understood by being critical when reviewing prior to outlining the key attributes of a critical literature review. We conclude with a summary checklist to help ensure a literature review is critical.

There's no madness in my method: explaining how your coaching research findings are built on firm foundations

When writing about research, explaining the method can appear as an afterthought or even madness: wasting precious words that could be better used in discussing the findings. Yet, a section explicitly explaining and justifying the method is crucial to any research report or academic paper, in coaching or other disciplines. In fact, we would argue that a well-articulated method section is particularly important in coaching research, as the setting up of studies can be complex, highlighting a necessity to be very clear about data collection techniques and analysis procedures used. We offer here the analogy of your research as a building with firm foundations – for a building to be safe, it needs to be built on firm foundations. Similarly, you need to show that your research is well founded. A clear concise explanation of your research method provides the foundation allowing your readers to know your research findings can be trusted.

The Relationships Between Traditional Selection Assessments and Workplace Performance Criteria Specificity: A Comparative Meta-Analysis

Individual workplace performance is a crucial construct in Work Psychology. However, understanding of its conceptualization remains limited, particularly regarding predictor-criterion linkages. This study examines to what extent operational validities differ when criteria are measured as overall job performance compared to specific dimensions as predicted by ability and personality measures respectively. Building on Bartram’s (2005) work, systematic review methodology is used to select studies for meta-analytic examination. We find validities for both traditional predictor types to be enhanced substantially when performance is assessed specifically rather than generically. Findings indicate that assessment decisions can be facilitated through a thorough mapping and subsequent use of predictor measures using specific performance criteria. We discuss further implications, referring particularly to the development and operationalization of even more finely grained performance conceptualizations.

Formulating a convincing rationale for a research study

Explaining the purpose of a research study and providing a compelling rationale is an important part of any coaching research project, enabling the work to be set in the context of both existing evidence (and theory) and its practical applications. This necessitates formulating a clear research question and deriving specific research objectives, thereby justifying and contextualising the study. In this research note we consider the characteristics of good research questions and research objectives and the role of theory in developing these. We conclude with a summary and a checklist to help ensure the rationale for a coaching research study is convincing.

Dealing with reviewers’ comments in the publication process

This article focuses on the challenges for authors of dealing with an editor’s and reviewers’ comments within the manuscript publication process. The paper commences with an overview of the peer review process. The nature and style of comments from editors and reviewers is outlined and the inherent meaning demystified. Using a wide range of anonymised examples, sample comments are categorised according to their ease of being addressed and whether or not the author agrees with them and the need to respond highlighted. Advice is offered regarding the construction of a response document, outlining how editor and reviewer comments have been addressed in the revised manuscript and an example comprising both editor and reviewer comments and author responses provided. The importance of this document in providing a clear audit trail of associated amendments to the manuscript and their justifications in response to the editor’s and reviewers’ comments is emphasised.

Using qualitative repertory grid interviews to gather shared perspectives in a sequential mixed methods research design

In this chapter, we consider a specific example of applying mixed methods designs combining both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis approaches, giving particular attention to issues including reliability and validity. Human resource management (HRM) researchers, like others setting out to examine a novel or insufficiently defined research topic, frequently favour qualitative approaches to gather data during initial stages, to facilitate an in-depth exploration of individuals’ notions of a subject matter and development of theory (Symon and Cassell, 2012). A variety of qualitative data gathering and analytic methods can be used to such effect, including focus groups followed by thematic analysis of data (for example, Braun and Clarke, 2006) or diary studies (for example, Xanthopoulou et al., 2009). Having made sense of gathered qualitative data, scholars may often decide to examine their chosen topic through further quantitative study, such as a survey.

Using systematic review methodology to examine the extant literature

Book synopsis: As Human Resource Development (HRD) research has developed, a growing variety of quantitative and qualitative data collection procedures and analysis techniques have been adopted; research designs now include mono, multiple and mixed methods. This Handbook brings together the wealth of research methods experience gained by HRD researchers into one essential volume. Organised into four parts, the book explores conceptual issues, qualitative research methods, quantitative research methods and methodological challenges. It utilises the wealth of research experiences of leading HRD scholars to provide a range of insights highlighting what works, what does not work and associated challenges. Each chapter provides annotated further reading, allowing the reader to expand on the topics discussed.