HR Research & Evidence-Based Practice 5

Question 1

In HR research, what is the primary purpose of a literature review before conducting a study?

Accepted Answer

To identify what is already known and avoid duplicating prior research

Answer

A literature review synthesizes existing knowledge to identify gaps, inform research design, and prevent redundant work.

Question 2

A tech company's HR team wants to study why software engineers leave within their first year. Which mixed-methods approach would yield the most comprehensive insights?

Accepted Answer

Combine quantitative HRIS data analysis with qualitative exit interviews

Answer

Mixed methods combine statistical patterns from quantitative data with the depth and context provided by qualitative interviews for richer insights.

Question 3

Which type of validity assesses whether a pre-employment coding assessment predicts future job performance?

Accepted Answer

Predictive validity

Answer

Predictive validity measures the degree to which assessment scores correlate with future job performance outcomes.

Question 4

An HR analyst notices that attrition doubled after a major HRIS implementation. Before concluding the system caused the increase, what should be investigated first?

Accepted Answer

Whether other organizational changes occurred simultaneously that could explain the increase

Answer

Establishing causation requires ruling out alternative explanations, including concurrent events such as layoffs, restructuring, or market conditions.

Question 5

When an HR team applies Bayesian reasoning to workforce planning, what does 'updating a prior belief' mean?

Accepted Answer

Revising probability estimates about workforce outcomes as new data becomes available

Answer

Bayesian reasoning involves starting with a prior probability estimate and systematically updating it as new evidence is gathered.

HR - Software Practice Test

HR - Software Practice Test

HR Research & Evidence-Based Practice 5