EDINBURGH NAPIER UNIVERSITY

Participant Information Sheet

Title of Project: Critical Human Resource Development: Insights into
                           Practice at HealthServ

Name of Researcher: Allan Ramdhony
				
Local Collaborator: Head of Learning and Development

You are being invited to take part in the above study. Before you decide, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take some time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask me if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Take time to decide whether you wish to take part or not. 

Thank you for reading this. 

Background of study  

It is not until recently that a critical stream has emerged within the field of Human Resource Development (HRD). What is now termed Critical HRD (CHRD) primarily aims to: (i) challenge an exclusive focus on strategic objectives and organisational performance that typifies many modern organisations, and (ii) frame change efforts towards more democratic workplace conditions aligned with the principles of social justice and equity in which unnecessary and unwanted constraints on employee freedom and learning and development needs can be effectively removed and a greater balance can be achieved between strategic and moral imperatives, and between organisational and individual needs. 

HealthServ was seen as an interesting site for CHRD research as it bears a strong resonance with the democratic principles and moral concerns of CHRD. HealthServ has expressed its firm commitment to high staff governance standards and a partnership ethos based on the principles of mutuality, social justice and inclusion, reducing inequalities and improving the health of all its stakeholders – which is seen as key to the long-term success of the major strategic change programme that has been driving the organisation forward for the past five years.  

As a member of HealthServ.Learning you are already well aware of the pivotal role your department is called to play within HealthServ’s changing context, especially with regard to its commitment to the high staff governance standards and partnership ethos described above. The onus is therefore placed on HealthServ.Learning to provide visible and inclusive leadership in translating this commitment into practice through the creation of a learning environment in which all employees are given the opportunity to effectively address their learning needs, self-develop and maximise their potential, and contribute fully to the transformation of HealthServ into an exemplar in terms of both staff governance and excellence in service delivery.  
 
In light of the above, it is felt that this study is of significant value to HealthServ.Learning in that it can provide HRD practitioners with useful insights into key HRD activities and interventions within HealthServ, which could be associated with CHRD practice and which could help identify the organisation as a trailblazer with regard to such practice. Importantly, one of the key outcomes of the study will be the development of an evidenced-based framework that seeks to improve the conditions for CHRD practice across HealthServ and can therefore effectively contribute to the organisation’s change efforts.

Purpose of Study

The purpose of this study is therefore to: (i) investigate HealthServ.Learning in relation to what can be considered as CHRD practice and (ii) develop, on the basis of the research findings, a framework that is primarily directed at HRD practitioners and is designed to improve such practice across the organisation. 

Data collection

The data collection will be spread over 18 months. It consists of three main phases, which are sequenced in such a way as to enable a progressively deepening understanding of HealthServ.Leaning in relation to CHRD practice. 

Phase 1 – Exploratory 

Phase 1 of the data collection will cover a period of six months and is largely exploratory. It will consist of a set of 8-10 in-depth interviews with senior members of HealthServ.Learning and an analysis of relevant documentary evidence. Its primary purpose is to enable familiarisation with HealthServ and early insights into the nature of HealthServ.Learning, providing a solid base for the second phase of the investigation. 

Phase 2 – Explanatory

Phase 2 of the data collection will cover a period of approximately twenty months and can be described as the explanatory phase of the study. It will consist of around 25 semi-structured interviews with HRD practitioners selected from each of the four departments falling under HealthServ.Learning (Workforce Planning and Development, Organisational Development, Clinical Training and Learning and Development) together with the observation of action learning sets facilitated by specialist HRD practitioners, which are considered in this study as effective channels for CHRD practice. Its primary purpose is to enable a deep-probing and critical examination of the extent to which HealthServ.Learning promotes what can be considered as CHRD practice. 

Phase 3 – Fine-Tuning

Phase 3 will cover a period of three months and will consist of 3-5 consultative interviews with purposively selected HRD practitioners. Its primary purpose is to draw on the contextual knowledge and informed views of participants in order to fine-tune the interpretation of the research findings and test the validity of the framework designed to improve the conditions for CHRD practice within HealthServ.  

What does taking part in the study involve?
 
You have been selected to take part in Phase 1 / Phase 2 / Phase 3* of the study. You are therefore invited to participate in an in-depth / a semi-structured / consultative* interview. If you are taking part in Phase 1 of the study you will be asked to talk about your role within HealthServ.Learning and share your views on the current HRD strategies and operations and more specifically on HRD activities which can be associated with CHRD practice. 

If you are taking part in Phase 2 of the study, the conversation will focus on your particular role and on the activities/projects/initiatives you are involved in and which might be associated with CHRD practice. If you are being observed during an action learning session, the researcher will take on the role of mere observer and you will be asked to carry on with the session ‘as normal’. 

If you are taking part in Phase 3 of the study, you will be asked to share your views on the interpretation of some of the key research findings and on the validity of the framework developed to improve the conditions for CHRD practice within HealthServ.   

* Delete as appropriate

Do I have to take part?

While your participation is valued, it is entirely voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form. If you decide to take part you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving any reason. Your legal rights will in no way be affected.

You are requested to notify the researcher of your decision within ten days of receipt of this invitation to take part.

What are the possible risks of taking part?

The principles guiding this study aim to ensure that no foreseeable harm is done to you, to protect your rights and to serve your interests and well-being. As a result, the risks of harm to you in this research are minimal. However, should any harm happen to you through negligence on the part of the researcher, you will be able to apply to Edinburgh Napier University, the institution sponsoring this research, for indemnity or compensation. 

What are the possible benefits of taking part?

This study provides you with an opportunity to voice your opinion or concerns about your organisation and the activities in which you are involved and which might be associated with CHRD practice. Moreover, your suggestions for improvement will be given due consideration in the reporting of the research findings and in the development of a framework that can effectively support HealthServ.Learning in translating the organisation’s enabling cultural values and democratic principles into practice, and in bringing about the conditions for CHRD practice over the longer term. 

Will my taking part in this study be kept confidential?

All the information which is collected during the course of this research will be kept strictly confidential and stored in a secure database for a maximum period of three years. If the information you provide is reported or published, this will be done in a way that does not identify you as its source. 

What will happen to the results of the research study?

The results of the research will be presented in a PhD thesis that will be submitted to a board of examiners for the award of a PhD degree. Relevant parts of the research findings may be used for publication in academic journals with Edinburgh Napier University’s authorisation.

Who is organising and funding the study?

The study is fully funded by Edinburgh Napier University through a PhD studentship.

Who has reviewed the study?

The study has received the formal approval of the Chair of the Faculty Research Committee at Edinburgh Napier University and that of HealthServ Research Ethics Committee. It is also subject to continuous review and audit by Edinburgh Napier University academic supervisory team and internal examiners. 

Contact for further information

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further information. My contact details are as follows: 

Email: 

Tel: