Human Resource Management 2016

The Pervasiveness And Trajectory Of Methodological Choices: A 20‐Year Review Of Human Resource Management Research

Hugh T. J. Bainbridge¹; Karin Sanders¹; Julie A. Cogin^1,2; Caihui (Veronica) Lin³

¹ UNSW Sydney · ² Australian Federation of Graduate Women New South Wales · ³ Queen's University Belfast

Abstract

This article examines the methodological choices of researchers studying the HR practices–outcome relationship via a content analysis of 281 studies published across the past 20 years. The prevalence and trajectory of change over time are reported for a wide range of methodological choices relevant to internal, external, construct, and statistical conclusion validity. While the results indicate a high incidence of potentially problematic cross‐sectional, single‐informant, and single‐level designs, they also reveal significant improvements over time across many validity relevant methodological choices. This broad‐based improvement in the methodological underpinnings of HR research suggests that researchers and practitioners can view the findings reported in the HR literature with increasing confidence. Directions for future research are provided.

DOI

10.1002/hrm.21807

Sources

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APA 7 MLA 9 Chicago (author–date) Harvard Elsevier Harvard (JFE, JBF…) The Accounting Review Academy of Management American Marketing Association INFORMS (Management Science) Copy citation Copied ✓