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School of Human Resource Management, Faculty of LA&PS, York University

Fall 2023 Course Outline

SHRM 2420 Human Capital Data and Analytics

Instructor: Marlee Mercer

Email: mmercer@yorku.ca
Phone: 647-966-3834
Class Time: Mondays, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: CLH, Room E – This course will be taught live, in-person
Whatsapp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JHUeEaN6vtsCSbDNoR2HB2 (or see below for
QR code)

Course Description

This course introduces students to methods and measures used to examine the impact of human
capital and HR initiatives. Students learn how to frame a business problem in the context of HR
principles, and to use data to analyze HR-related business problems and communicate results.
Students will also be made familiar with the purpose of more advanced analytical methods.

The surge in available organizational data has led to the requirement for HR practitioners to
store, track, and analyze large amounts of data. This course is intended to help the practitioner to
understand what kinds of data are useful to help solve HR-related problems and issues, the
differences between using spreadsheets and databases to manipulate and store data, to perform
basic data analyses, and to effectively communicate the results of scientific enquiry.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to understand and perform basic HR
analytics by using data to answer key HR questions around the development and implementation
of human capital. The material covered in this course will include issues such as data storage,
cleaning and visualization, common measures of workplace attitudes, and basic statistical tests
that are commonly used by researchers interested in studying organizational behaviour such as
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descriptive statistics, the basics of psychometric theory, differences in means, and basic
regression. Students will also develop the skills necessary to understand the foundations of HR
information systems used by many large organizations today, and the skill to implement a
strategic HR dashboard.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to ask questions that can be answered by
the collection and analysis of data. Students will be able to:

1) Frame a business problem in the context of HR principles

2) Understand how to formulate an HR question as an analytics problem
3) Understand the different types of measures and data that are used in HRM, and how those data
may be stored.
4) Understand the types of analyses that are commonly used to answer business questions
involving Human Capital data, and perform basic statistical analyses that are suited to the
research question, and
5) Interpret and communicate the results of HR research.

Prerequisites: AP/HRM 2600 3.0

Course Communication Plan

The instructor will provide a WhatsApp group for students to communicate with one another and
the instructor. Additionally, there will be a discussion forum on eClass for those who prefer to
communicate there. Students who wish to schedule time for in-person or Zoom meetings and
have questions can reach out via text or email to the instructor. The aim is to create an open and
collaborative learning environment where students can engage with the course material and seek
assistance when needed.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Your responsibilities:
 Stay on schedule. Complete your readings in the assigned week as it is easy to fall behind.
Creates notes and a folder to organize your notes. Note all dates and plan your work ahead of
time. Observe deadlines and schedules.
 Read the assignment instructions carefully well before the due date. This way if you
have questions for the professor, you will have sufficient time to have them answered.
 Maintain academic integrity. Submit original work and ensure all information is cited as
needed. Adhere to the university’s policies regarding cheating and plagiarism.
 Confidentiality and respect. Create an atmosphere for open and honest exchange. Do not
demean others’ ideas and responses. If students discuss confidential and sensitive
information, keep it private. Finally, harassment and discrimination of any kind will not be
tolerated.
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 Speak your discomfort. If something bothers you, please share it so that we can work to
solve it.

For York University’s policies on student rights and responsibilities, please click here.

Required Text:

Bauer, T., Erdogan, B., Caughlin, D., & Truxillo, D. (2019). Human Resource Management:
People, Data, and Analytics Interactive Edition. SAGE Publications, Inc. (US).

Urdan, Timothy C. Statistics in Plain English. (5th Edition). Taylor & Francis, 2022.

Textbooks can be purchased at the York University bookstore.

We will be using Microsoft Excel for the statistical analyses portion of the course.

Evaluation:

Assignment Weight Due Date

Participation: In class mini assignments 15% In class on multiple dates
Measuring Attitudes Assignment 30% October 16, 2023
Test 25% October 30, 2023
Statistics Assignment 5% Data collection: November 13
25% Final project: December 4, 2023

Course Schedule:

Week Topic Reading Assignment Note

1 Introduction to HRM Bauer et al.: Chapter 1
Sept 11 (pages 1-15)
2 The role of analytics and Bauer et al.: Chapter 1 Measuring Attitudes
Sept 18 technology (the remainder of chapter 1) assignment will be
explained during this
class.
3 HR Strategy Bauer et al.: Chapter 2
Sept 25
4 Data for HR analytics Bauer et al.: Chapter 3 The requirements of
Oct 2 (pages 66-86) the test will be
reviewed during this
class.
5 Developing HR Information Bauer et al.: Chapter 3 DUE:
Oct 16 Systems case (the remainder of chapter 3) Measuring Attitudes

The survey finding,

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and data collection

portion of the
Statistics Assignment
will be explained
during this class.
6 Job Analysis and the Design of Bauer et al.: Chapter 5
Oct 23 Work
7 TEST Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5
Oct 30
8 Intro to Social Sciences Urdan: Chapters 1-3
Nov 6 research; Measures of central
tendency and variability
9 Statistical Significance; t-tests Urdan: Chapters 7, 8 DUE:
Nov 13 Data Collection for
Statistics Assignment

The remainder of the

Statistics Assignment
will be explained
during this class
10 Correlation; regression Urdan: Chapters 12, 13
Nov 20
11 Review of Statistics and
Nov 27 addressing assignment
questions
12 No class Your final assignment is due the DUE:
Dec 4 week after class ends. Statistics Assignment

Submitting Assignments

All assignments in this course must be submitted electronically via the eClass platform by 11:59
PM (EST) on the specified due date. We will be using Turnitin to ensure academic integrity and
uphold the principles of originality and honesty in all academic work. In so doing, students will
allow their material to be included as source documents in the Turnitin.com reference database,
where they will be used only for the purpose of detecting plagiarism. The terms that apply to the
University’s use of the Turnitin service are described on the Turnitin.com website.

It is crucial to submit your assignments on time, as any late submissions, even if delayed by just
one minute, will be considered late. Late submissions will be subject to a penalty, and the
number of points deducted will be determined by the extent of the delay. Therefore, it is highly
recommended to plan ahead and allocate sufficient time for completing and uploading your
assignments.
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To avoid any potential issues, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the eClass platform early
on in the course and practice submitting assignments in advance of the due dates. Additionally,
you are responsible for checking your internet connection and ensuring that any technical
difficulties are resolved well before the assignment deadline.

Details of Assignments

IN-CLASS MINI ASSIGNMENTS

Throughout the course, in-class mini assignments will be distributed during class sessions, and
they will be due for submission within the same class period. These assignments are designed to
reinforce your understanding of the topics covered and encourage active participation during our
in-person meetings. Details regarding each mini assignment will be explained on the day they are
assigned, ensuring you have clear instructions and expectations for completion.

Please be aware that missed mini assignments cannot be made up unless there are exceptional
circumstances, such as providing a valid doctor’s note or having sufficient documentation for
unforeseen events that caused your absence.

MEASURING ATTITUDES ASSIGNMENT

In this case assignment, students will act as HR strategists at a fictitious company, “TechGiant.”
The HR department at TechGiant aims to design a future-oriented strategy to assess employee
attitudes using data-driven decision-making, HR analytics, HR information systems, and job
analysis. Students will devise a plan based on course materials on how TechGiant can effectively
determine employee attitudes in the future. Use research to support all steps of this assignment.

This assignment should be 5-7 pages double spaced, 12-point font, including the cover page and
reference page.

1. Provide an introduction to data-driven decision-making in HR and explain its significance

in assessing and improving employee attitudes. Emphasize the role of data analytics in
gaining valuable insights.
2. Identify and define specific employee attitudes that TechGiant aims to assess and explain
why it is important to assess these attitudes.
3. Propose a strategy for developing and implementing HR information systems at
TechGiant to collect and store employee attitude data. Discuss the features of the system
and how it will ensure data accuracy and privacy.
4. In a step-by-step format, explain how HR analytics will be leveraged to analyze employee
attitude data. Discuss the types of analytics and statistical techniques that will be
employed to gain insights from the data.
5. Add a discussion of reliability and validity and the importance of using pre-existing
measures of attitude (also why companies using their own measures of attitude without
considering reliability and validity can lead to inaccurate implications).
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6. Outline how TechGiant will integrate data-driven attitude assessment into its HR strategy.
Discuss how data insights will guide HR decisions and influence organizational
initiatives.

 Submit the case assignment in a formal report format: introduction, analysis,

recommendations, and references.
 Use APA citation style for in-text citations and references.

TEST

The test will cover material from Bauer's textbook chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, along with content
discussed in class and course slides up until the test date. The test format will consist of multiple-
choice questions and will be conducted in class. Please note that it will not be an open-book test.
Further details regarding the test structure will be provided during class sessions leading up to
the examination date.

STATISTICS ASSIGNMENT

In this assignment, you will engage in hands-on social science research, providing you with the
opportunity to design and execute your own study within the realm of Human Resources. This
assignment aims to bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, enabling you to
apply learned research methodologies and statistical concepts to real-world scenarios. Your final
deliverable will be a well-structured research report spanning 7-10 pages, adhering to double-
spacing and a 12-point font. The page count encompasses the cover page, references, and details
of statistical analyses.

Assignment:

1. Choose a Relevant Research Question: Identify a research question in the field of

Human Resources that captivates your interest and includes variables listed in the
provided surveys. Formulate a clear research hypothesis to guide your investigation.
2. Explain Research Significance: Convey the importance of your chosen research
question in a concise 2-3 paragraph section. Employ citations to substantiate the
significance of your topic by referencing prior research.
3. Craft Your Survey: Leverage the SurveyMonkey platform to construct a survey suitable
for distribution to participants, including fellow students and individuals beyond the
student community.
4. Collect and Protect Data: Invite willing participants to complete your SurveyMonkey
survey. Respect demographic details, such as age, gender, and educational background,
while ensuring the privacy and anonymity of respondents. Furnish participants with a
consent form that underscores the confidential nature of collected data. Your aim is to
achieve a sample size of 30-40 participants for robust statistical analysis.
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5. Data Analysis and Organization: Apply pertinent statistical techniques to scrutinize

your survey data. Incorporate measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and
variability (range, variance, standard deviation) to glean insights.
6. Employ Statistical Tests: Utilize a statistical test taught in the course, such as t-tests for
significance, correlation analysis, or potentially regression analysis. Select the most
fitting analysis based on the nature of your research question.
7. Visual Representation: Enhance your analysis outcomes through meaningful visual aids
such as tables, charts, and graphs. These visuals should elucidate your findings.
8. Interpretation and Conclusions: Delve into your analysis findings vis-à-vis your
research question and initial hypotheses. Probe the ramifications of your results and
assess whether they align with your initial hypothesis.
9. Probe Broader Implications: Explore the potential ramifications of your findings for
the broader Human Resources domain. Reinforce your insights by referencing pertinent
past research.

Note: Ensure your research topic, hypotheses, and survey design harmonize with the statistical
concepts covered in the course. Prior to commencing your research, reach out to me for feedback
on your proposed topic and methodology. This collaborative step will assure your research’s
cohesion with the course's scope and will contribute to a fruitful research assignment.

Students must complete and submit the data gathering three weeks prior to the final submission.

The evaluation of your final research report will hinge on the robustness of your research design,
the appropriateness of your selected statistical methods, the coherence of your interpretations,
and the overall quality of your report's presentation. This assignment underscores the integration
of theory and practice, equipping you with valuable research skills applicable in various
professional scenarios.

Citation Expectations

Throughout this course, it is essential that all written assignments and academic works comply
with the APA citation style. All students must diligently follow the APA guidelines for in-text
citations and construct a comprehensive reference page to acknowledge the sources used in their
work. Failure to adhere to APA citation rules may result in penalties on assignments and may
negatively impact overall grades.

Familiarizing yourself with APA guidelines early on will not only enhance the academic rigor of
your work but also demonstrate your commitment to producing scholarly and well-researched
content. Should you have any questions or need assistance with APA formatting, do not hesitate
utilize the university’s writing center resources found here.

The following also provides comprehensive guidelines for following APA-style citations: APA
Purdue Owl.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students may only use generative AI tools so long as the following two conditions are met:

 Specific generative AI tools are used in accordance with the written guidelines provided
for each assessment or activity, and
 The use of generative AI is documented and cited following citation instructions.

Use of generative AI outside these two conditions will constitute academic dishonesty under
York University’s Senate Policy on Academic Honesty. As a student in this course, it is your
responsibility to understand when and how generative AI tools can be used to complete your
assessments and activities. If you do not know whether an online resource or tool can be used in
this course, please contact your instructor for guidance.

You can use the AI tool to think with you, but not for you.

• Citing AI-generated material: According to the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty, all work
that you submit for evaluation must be completed by you and you alone, unless otherwise
specified. While this course allows you to work with an AI, you must document your process, by
including all of your prompts and the AI’s responses as appendices to your assignment.

Grade Breakdown

The grading scheme for this course conforms to the 9-point system used in undergraduate
programs at York University. For a full description of the York grading system, visit the York
University Academic Calendar.

Grade Grade Percent Range Description

Point
A+ 9 90-100 Exceptional
A 8 80-89 Excellent
B+ 7 75-79 Very Good
B 6 70-74 Good
C+ 5 65-69 Competent
C 4 60-64 Fairly Competent
D+ 3 55-59 Passing Slightly
D 2 50-54 Marginally Passing
E 1 (Marginally below 50%) Marginally Failing
F 0 (Below 50%) Failing

Late Assignments
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For all assignments: The late penalty is 5% a day, including weekends. If you submit the
assignment late, you may send it to the instructor. Under specific circumstances, the instructor
might offer short extensions, however, but this extension should be established in advance and
will only be granted with supporting documentation.
…………………………………………………

1. All assignments are to be submitted electronically through the designated platform as

instructed by the instructor.
2. It is the student’s responsibility to submit assignments well ahead of the deadline to
account for any potential technical issues. Excuses related to internet connectivity
problems at the time of submission will not be accepted.

For the final test: If you are not present on the assignment completion date, you must request a
deferred standing. You will need to fill out the form here. If you were absent due to a health
concern, you must submit and attending physician’s statement. The deadline to submit these
forms are no later than a week after the test date. Once your deferred standing form is accepted,
the professor will work with you to ensure a time is set up to complete the deferred assignment.

Late Excuses:
1. Proper excuses for late submission without penalty/test absence must be genuine,
unavoidable, and supported by appropriate documentation.
2. Acceptable excuses include illness and bereavement. In case of illness, a valid doctor's
note must be provided, specifying the dates of incapacity and the inability to complete the
assignment on time.
3. Vacation, personal trips, or non-emergency events will not be considered valid excuses
for late submission. Students are expected to plan their schedules accordingly and submit
assignments before leaving for any planned absence.

Religious Observances

Any assignment that conflicts with religious accommodations should be communicated by the
student via email or text. Should any of the dates specified in this syllabus for course
examinations, tests, or deadlines conflict with a date of religious significance, please contact the
instructor within the first three (3) weeks of class. The student should specify the full details
regarding the conflict. If an extension is granted, the professor will notify the student. For
religious accommodation guidelines please click here.
……………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Academic Honesty

Plagiarism is a grave breach of trust and is taken very seriously. In academia, our ideas are the
value of our work, so we consider plagiarism a theft of sorts. Here is how you can demonstrate
academic integrity in the completion of this course:
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 Respect the ideas of others: Your course work should represent your own knowledge and
ideas. You should not falsely claim credit for ideas that are not your own, by presenting
another’s work as yours. If you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing another
person’s work in order to support your own ideas, identify the work and the author
through proper citation practices.
 Respect your peers: Know when you are allowed to collaborate. Ask your instructor
about what group work entails when it comes to the sharing of work. In test situations
and assignments, don’t steal or give answers to your peers, whether in-person or online
(e.g., in group chats and/or on third-party content-sharing websites, such as Chegg,
Course Hero, etc.). Both cheating and aiding in a breach of academic honesty are
violations of York University’s academic honesty policy.
 Respect your course instructor(s): Understand what your instructors are asking of you in
class, as well as on assignments, tests and/or exams. If you are unsure, ask your professor
or teaching assistant. They are committed to making you feel supported and want to
assess you fairly and with integrity. Please do not submit the same piece of work for
more than one course without your instructor’s permission. That can be considered an act
of cheating.
 Respect yourself: When you act with integrity, you know that your work is yours and
yours alone. You do not allow others to take tests for you. You do not buy or otherwise
obtain term papers or assignments. You do the work. As a result, you know that you
earned the grades that you receive, so you can be proud of your York degree. By acting
with integrity in your course work, you are also practising a valuable professional skill
that is important in all workplaces.
 Take responsibility: If you have acted in an academically dishonest way, you can
demonstrate courage and take responsibility for your mistake. You can admit your
mistake to your course instructor as soon as possible.

Students who engage in academic dishonesty can be subject to disciplinary action under the
Senate Policy on Academic Honesty. Your lack of familiarity with the Senate Policy does not
constitute a defense against its application. Some academic offences can also constitute offences
under the Criminal Code of Canada, which means that you may also be subject to criminal
charges.

You will receive an automatic 0 for the assignment if caught plagiarising the first time and will
have to speak to an academic board and submit additional assignments. Any assignments found
to be plagiarised beyond the first one may result in expulsion.

To ensure that you follow academic integrity principles and properly source material, it is
recommended you complete the online tutorials for students here and here.

Intellectual Property
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Course materials are designed for use as part of this particular course at York University and are
the intellectual property of the instructor unless otherwise stated. Third-party copyrighted
materials (such as book chapters, journal articles, music, videos, etc.) have either been licensed
for use in this course or fall under an exception or limitation in Canadian copyright law. Students
may not publish, post on an Internet site, sell, or otherwise distribute any course materials or
work without the instructor’s express permission. Course materials should only be used by
students enrolled in this course.

Copying this material for distribution (e.g., uploading material to a commercial third-party
website) may lead to a charge of misconduct according to York’s Code of Student Rights and
Responsibilities, the Senate Policy on Academic Honesty, and/or legal consequences for
copyright violations.

Diversity and Inclusion

It is acknowledged and celebrated that students will be diverse in various ways, including race,
ethnic origin, creed, languages spoken, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability,
socioeconomic status, age, religion, and beliefs, among other factors. These various factors will
undoubtedly influence the students' perspectives. I aim to introduce material and activities that
are respectful to diverse individuals. As a professor, I promote diversity, equity, and inclusion for
many reasons, including excellence, innovation, and justice. I also expect students behave in a
manner that is inclusive to everyone and respects individual differences. Nonetheless, intentional
or unintentional discrimination or a feeling of non-inclusion may occur. In this case, I encourage
anyone who witnesses such instances to speak out. You may contact me via email or in person if
the culture in this class is not up to par. Alternatively, you may follow the guidelines to report
discrimination here. This link also provides the university’s various human rights policies and
procedures.

For York University’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy 2022-2027, please click here.

If you require accommodations for class or assignments, please contact me as early as possible
in the course so that we can work collaboratively to create a plan for you to make completing
this course as smooth and enjoyable as possible. The university’s instructions for academic
support and accommodations can also be found here.

Additional Student Resources

** Student Help Directory:

https://www.yorku.ca/laps/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2020/10/Student-Help-Tree.pdf **

Degree and Career Advice

Academic Advising: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/support/academic-advising/
Degree Planning: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/degree-planning/
Career Centre: https://careers.yorku.ca/
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Writing and Research Support

Writing Centre: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/writing-centre/
Library and Research Consultations: https://www.library.yorku.ca/web/ask-services/book-a-
consultation-with-a-librarian/

Monetary Support
Scholarships, Awards, and Bursaries: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/student-awards/
Emergency Funding for Students: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/fund-your-studies/emergency-
funding/
OSAP: https://osap.yorku.ca/
Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE): https://www.yorku.ca/laps/dare/
Internships: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/internships/

Mental Health Support

Counselling Services: https://counselling.students.yorku.ca/

International Student Support

International Student Support: https://www.yorku.ca/laps/students/international/

Accessibility Services
Student Accessibility Services: https://accessibility.students.yorku.ca/