As you have read in the text, sociologists analyze data gathered in society and within organizations to understand more about the social problems that can occur within society related to organizations (e.g., globalization, environmental issues, etc.).

Analyzing data also helps sociologists understand how social problems can occur within organizations in relation to specific groups (e.g., women, older workers, etc.).

Gathering and analyzing data to understand these workplace issues is not only the job of sociologists as part of research projects, but also the job of human resources (HR) practitioners within organizations. Human resource practitioners often perform research about their workforce to understand how workers feel about their environment or their experiences of work.

To help you answer the questions below, please read the article "Becoming an Evidence-Based HR Practitioner" and watch the video, Older Workers: The 'Unavoidable Obligation' of Extending Our Working Lives?

Answer the following:

How does using data-based evidence help HR practitioners in organizational decision making?

In the video, Professor Vickerstaff presents research evidence regarding older workers. According to Professor Vickerstaff, which groups perform research in this area and what types of research do they perform?

The article and text you read this week present examples of research methods. If you were an HR practitioner and wanted to understand the experiences of the older workers in your organization, what research methods would you use to do so? State the type of research method and explain why you have chosen this method to understand your older workers.

http://www.cebma.info/wp-content/uploads/Rousseau-Barends-HRMJ-20111.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq3PkeK8OXY&feature=youtu.be