Education Two Part Assignment

ENG800

Research Plan

Student's name

Institution affiliation

Professor's name

Course name & number

Date

Research Plan

Section 1: Topic Development

Research Question: How does the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies influence employee engagement and productivity in global organizations?

Topic Description

This study examines how the adoption of AI technology is linked to human workplace outcomes in multinational corporations. The study focuses on the positive and negative effects of AI implementation on employee motivation, job satisfaction, and objective productivity metrics. As AI tools continue to grow rapidly in workplaces around the world, organizational leaders need to understand these human-centered outcomes when making technology investment decisions.

Keyword Combinations Used	Database or Website Searched	Notes
"Artificial intelligence" AND "employee engagement" AND productivity	Business Source Premier PsycINFO SAGE Business Cases Google Scholar	The sources are relevant to the topic. Most of them are peer-reviewed.
AI implementation AND workplace AND "job satisfaction"	Business Source Premier PsycINFO SAGE Business Cases ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Google Scholar	The sources are relevant to the topic. Variety of sources including peer reviewed articles, and dissertations.
"Machine learning" AND "human resources" AND performance	Business Source Premier PsycINFO SAGE Business Cases ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Google Scholar	Most of the sources are academic.
"automation" AND "employee motivation" AND "global organizations"	Business Source Premier PsycINFO SAGE Business Cases ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Google Scholar	Most of the sources are academic.
"Digital transformation" AND "workforce" AND engagement	Business Source Premier PsycINFO SAGE Business Cases ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global Google Scholar	The sources are relevant to the topic. Most of them are academic peer-reviewed.

 

Table One: Keyword and Database Combinations 

Revised research question:

How does artificial intelligence implementation in human resources processes influence employee engagement and productivity in global technology organizations?

Section 2: Building Your Notetaking Database:

Step One: The Tool  

What citation management software have you chosen? Why have you chosen it?  

I have chosen Zotero as my citation manager because of its comprehensive features that fit perfectly with the collaborative and systematic instructional approach I have developed in my doctoral research. As I noted in my writer's journal, Zotero's group library feature will be used to share sources effectively with advisors and colleagues, which is vital for the iterative nature of doctoral scholarship. Additionally, Zotero allows for customizable note templates that can be set to fit the source descriptive note format I have already developed, so that all my research materials are kept consistent, and supports the horizontal and vertical analysis style that has worked well for me in the literature review process (Behera & Meher, 2022). The software's extensive citation formatting options and seamless connectivity to academic databases make it an ideal tool for the complex, multi-source research investigating AI implementation in HR processes within global technology organizations.

Step Two: The Structure 

In the space below, describe what the structure of your notetaking system will be. How will you keep source descriptive notes? Will you keep these via a template in a text box associated with the source? Will you mark up the source itself? Will you use a printed or digital copy? 

 I will follow a two-way system of note-taking which uses Zotero's built-in functions as well as external organizational tools to facilitate broad literature analysis. For source description, I will use Zotero's note template within each source text box; it will have: (1) a one-sentence description of the article's contribution, (2) descriptions of the six essential research parameters (focus, rationale, scholarly context, method, findings, and implications), and (3) specific connections to my research question about AI implementation in HR processes in technology organizations globally. This template-based process will enable consistency across all sources while enabling me to engage actively with each text rather than passively summarize as advocated by Single (2009).

Then, consider how you will use your  source descriptive notes to develop a notetaking system that is able to describe trends in the field? Will you create an excel document like Galvan and Galvan (2017) suggest? Will you draft a rough outline as well (Example 4.2.1)?  

To form a base of descriptive understanding of the field, and to uncover patterns among sources, I will export the key data from my Zotero notes into a single, comprehensive Excel spreadsheet, as Galvan and Galvan (2017) have recommended. I will enter source information, publication date, research goals, methodologies, key findings, theoretical frameworks, and links to my research topic on a spreadsheet. By reading along rows, I can compare individual sources in detail, whereas reading along columns will allow me to identify higher-level trends in the field, such as methodological change over time, common theoretical approaches, and gaps in existing research on AI-HR implementation. This double-lens approach will allow me to transition smoothly between analysis of the individual sources and more field-level synthesis to build strong arguments regarding where my research sits and contribute to the existing scholarship.

Step Three: Research Plan 

Course Module	Tasks	Resources	Assignments
3	· Complete the steps outlined in this template. · Read and take notes on at least five articles on my topic.	· Attend Library Workshop · Review resources listed in Module 3 Reading & Preparation	Discussion: Research Plan
4	· Conduct systematic database searches using refined keywords · Collect and organize 15-20 high-quality sources in Zotero · Complete source descriptive notes for all collected sources · Begin populating Excel spreadsheet with source data · Analyze exemplar research area primers for genre conventions	· Schedule consultation with subject librarian · Access discipline-specific databases (Business Source Premier, PsycINFO) · Review genre analysis resources from course materials · Utilize Zotero group library for advisor feedback	Discussion: Genre Analysis
5	· Complete field descriptive analysis using Excel spreadsheet · Identify patterns, gaps, and trends in AI-HR research · Draft and refine focused research question based on literature gaps · Create preliminary outline for Research Area Primer · Conduct targeted searches to fill identified literature gaps	· Writing Center appointment for research question refinement · Instructor office hours for feedback on literature analysis · Additional database searches as needed · Peer review exchange with classmates	Discussion: Research Question
6	· Draft complete Research Area Primer · Synthesize literature review findings into coherent narrative · Revise and edit for clarity, flow, and APA formatting · Conduct final literature search for any missing perspectives · Prepare discussion post reflecting on drafting process	· Multiple writing center sessions · Grammarly for editing support · Instructor feedback on draft · APA Style resources for final formatting · Zotero for citation generation	Discussion: Drafting Your Research Area Primer

Defense of Research Plan:

This research plan strategically front-loads the most time-intensive literature collection and analysis work in Modules 4 and 5 to allow Module 6 to focus primarily on synthesis and writing activities, a strategic scaffolding of the complex Research Area Primer assignment. In Module 4, I emphasize the creation of a broad base of sources and genre conventions, which form the basis of all further work. Module 5 focuses on the important analytical work of determining field patterns and honing my research question based on actual gaps in the literature instead of assumptions. This way, I can be sure my research question is based on strong field knowledge, and I have enough time for the iterative analysis process that doctoral-level research demands. By Module 6, I will have done the heavy analytical lifting. I can focus on developing a well-synthesized narrative that demonstrates both breadth of field knowledge and identification of meaningful research opportunities. The resource allocation reflects the varying types of support required for each stage of the research and writing process, with more intensive writing support toward the end of the process (librarian, instructor) and more expert consultation at the beginning of the process.

References

Behera, M., & Meher, D. (2022). Zotero: An overview of open source citation management tool for researchers.  Indian Journal of Information, Library & Society,  35(1-2), 74-82. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/362066740

Single, P.B. (2009). Demystifying dissertation writing (1st ed.). Routledge: Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN: 9781579223137