HRM4335 Psychology of Work Module Handbook 2026 | MUL

HRM4335 Module Handbook

HRM4335 Module Overview 

Aims

This module aims to develop students’ critical awareness of the complexities involved in managing a contemporary workforce, with a focus on the underlying psychological processes. Students will critically examine how factors such as workforce diversity, evolving work structures, and socio-economic changes create new challenges for managers. Through engagement with research, case studies, and self-reflective exercises, the module encourages a re-evaluation of traditional management theories and practices, fostering the exploration of innovative and adaptive approaches to contemporary management issues.

Knowledge

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:

• Critically analyse research and theories related to critical management issues;
• Appraise a range of critical issues associated with managing the diverse and changing workforce;
• Critically evaluate structures, mechanisms and processes that underlie contemporary challenges associated with managing the contemporary workforce;

Skills

On successful completion of this module, the student will be able to:

• synthesise and apply research and theories related to the psychology of work to critical management issues;
• apply research skills to collect information/data and construct and support a persuasive argument.

Syllabus

• Psychological contract
• Organisational justice
• Millennials and Generation Z and the meaning of work
• Managing work-life interface
• Alternative organisations and management
• Work intensification and stress
• Psychological biases and managing workforce diversity
• Workforce diversity and intersectionality
• New forms of work: emotional labour

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategies

Key concept video recordings are supported by weekly workshops, which enable students to understand further key principles and to test and apply their understanding. These sessions allow students the opportunity to explore topics, practice application, discuss issues, and receive feedback on their understanding and performance. Students are also expected to undertake private study to increase their knowledge and understanding of the subject. also expected to undertake self-study to enhance their understanding and knowledge of the subject.

The delivery of the module will be a blended approach in that all the materials will be available a week before class, these will include the lectures which have recorded versions available on the module page and the activities that you will be required to complete in the in class seminars are also on the page, model answers will be posted at the end of each week. On-Campus seminar sessions may involve group discussions around the activities that you have completed on your own to allow you to further develop your answers and embed the knowledge you have acquired into actual cases or specific situations. The activities will be related to topics that you will need to understand to allow you to complete the summative assessment for this course.

This approach is often referred to as a flipped classroom

‘A pedagogical approach in which the conventional notion of classroom-based learning is inverted: students are introduced to the learning material before class, with classroom time then being used to deepen understanding through discussion with peers and problem-solving activities facilitated by teachers.’

It is therefore very important that you engage with the material before class, so we can make the best use of the in-class sessions.

Assessment Scheme

Formative Assessment

Students will be encouraged to engage in formative feedback activities relating to their written assessment. This will include going over the practice question and submitting one summative question for feedback.

Module tutors will provide comments on areas for improvement on the practice question (500 words, due 11:59 PM Friday, 27th February, 2026,(week 6)

Draft of one of the 4 from 8 summative questions (500 words, due on Friday, 11:59 PM, March 27th, 2026, (week 10)

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment consists of one component:

Coursework (1,600-2,000 words, due on  Wednesday, 15th April, 2026,11:59pm). This assignment will consist of eight questions based on a range of topics covered. The student will need to answer four questions (each bearing an equal weight of 25%). This assessment will address Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Assessment Weighting

Coursework: 100%

Research Ethics

The teaching, learning, assessment and research activities undertaken in this module have been considered and are not likely to require ethical approval.

However, please seek advice if undertaking the module entails carrying out any research activities involving human participants, human data, animals/animal products, precious artefacts, materials or data systems. If you submit work that includes data gathered from or about people, this may be treated as academic misconduct and could lead to a failing grade being awarded.

Research ethics approval seeks to ensure all research is designed and undertaken according to certain principles of ethical research. These include:

• Primary concern must be given to the safety, welfare and dignity of participants, researchers, colleagues, the environment and the wider community
• Consideration of risks should be undertaken before research commences with the aim of minimising risks to those involved – i.e. human participants or animal subjects, colleagues, the environment and the wider community, as well as actual or potential risks to those directly or indirectly affected by the research.
• Informed consent should be freely given by participants, and by a trained person when collecting or analysing human tissue (details on accessing and completing online training for gaining informed consent for HTA purposes can be found below in Section 8).
• Respect for the privacy, confidentiality and anonymity of participants
• Consideration of the rights of people who may be vulnerable (by virtue of perceived or actual differences in their social status, ethnic origin, gender, mental capacities, or other such characteristics) who may be less competent or unable to refuse to give consent to participate
• Researchers have a responsibility to the general public and to their profession; as such, they should balance the anticipated benefits of their research against potential harm, misuse or abuse, which must be avoided
• Researchers must demonstrate the highest standards of ethical conduct and research integrity. They must work within the limits of their skills, training and experience, and refrain from exploitation, dishonesty, plagiarism, infringement of intellectual property rights and the fabrication of research results. They should declare any actual or potential conflicts of interest, and where necessary, take steps to resolve them.
• When using human tissues for research, the Human Tissue Act and Human Tissue Authority (HTA) requirements must be met. Please contact the relevant designated person (DP) in your department or the HTA Designated Individual (DI) (Dr Lucy Ghali - L.Ghali@mdx.ac.uk). Further information is provided below in the section: "Human Tissue Authority Information", see 'Governance Structure' document and SOPs, etc.
• Research should not involve any illegal activity, and researchers must comply with all relevant laws.

For more information about ethics, go to the Middlesex Online Research Ethics (MORE) system, which has information and guidance to help you meet the highest standards of ethical research using this link: https://MOREform.mdx.ac.uk

Information and further guidance on how to complete a research ethics application form (e.g., video guides and templates) can be found on the MORE MyLearning site*: http://mdx.mrooms.net/enrol/index.php?id=12277 (Log in required)

*The Middlesex University Definition of Research document can be located on this site.

Learning Resources

Within the dashboard or learning planner within the module page, you will find links to all the readings required for the module. These are specific journal articles that you will be required to read each week. Please ensure you do the required reading for each week and utilise this literature in the assessment, as this is a requirement of the module.

Expectations of studying this module 

Engagement

Engaging with online and on-campus in-person learning and activities is integral to your success. Middlesex University supports students, enabling them to achieve their full potential.

We provide this support through several strategies, all of which provide our students with a supportive learning environment online, remotely, face-to-face, or blended.

Further information on engaging with your programme will be available at your Induction and updates online at UniHub
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/assessment/attendance

Professional Behaviour and Online Conduct

The programme of study you are undertaking is underpinned by developing professional behaviour and attitude. You are expected to behave in a professional, supportive manner toward your peers and teachers. You must come to sessions prepared and ready to contribute where appropriate. Please remember that your University ID should be carried with you always whilst on campus, and you must be able to identify yourself if asked to do so. Please conduct your email communication with fellow students, tutors and all relevant staff formally and courteously.

In the same way that we help you understand how to effectively participate in learning on campus, we also want to make sure that you can make the most of online learning. Our principles of online learning class conduct are available at: https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/covid-19-updates-faq/online-classroom-conduct

Academic Integrity and Misconduct

You should be aware of the University’s academic integrity and misconduct policies and procedures. Taking unfair advantage over other students in an assessment is considered a serious offence by the University. Action will be taken against any student who contravenes the regulations through negligence, foolishness or deliberate intent. Academic misconduct takes several forms, in particular:

• Plagiarism – using extensive unacknowledged quotations from, or direct copying of, another person’s work and presenting it for assessment as if it were your own effort. This includes the use of third-party essay writing services.
• Collusion – working together with other students (without the tutor’s permission), and presenting similar or identical work for assessment.
• Infringement of Exam Room Rules – Communication with another candidate, taking notes to your table in the exam room and/or referring to notes during the examination.
• Self-Plagiarism – including any material which is identical or substantially similar to material that has already been submitted by you for another assessment in the University or elsewhere.

Students who attempt to gain an unfair advantage over others through academic misconduct will be penalised by sanctions, according to the severity of the offence, which can include exclusion from the University. Links to the relevant University regulations and additional support resources can be found here:

Becoming a successful student, a course that includes Academic Integrity
Access to course - You will have to log in to MyUniHub and then MyLearning to access the course.

Full details on academic integrity and misconduct and the support available can be found at Academic Integrity | UniHub (mdx.ac.uk)

The Academic Integrity and Misconduct policy is available in our Public Policy Statements (under Academic Quality) at: Our policies | Middlesex University London (mdx.ac.uk) Referencing & Plagiarism: Suspected of plagiarism?:
http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/c.php?g=322119&p=2155601 Referencing and avoiding plagiarism:
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/study/writing-numeracy/awl-resources/writing

The Middlesex University Students’ Union (MDXSU) Advice Service offers free and independent support in making an appeal, complaint or responding to any allegations of academic or non-academic misconduct.
https://www.mdxsu.com/advice

Extenuating circumstances:

There may be difficult circumstances in your life that affect your ability to meet an assessment deadline or affect your performance in an assessment. These are known as extenuating circumstances or ‘ECs’. Extenuating circumstances are exceptional, seriously adverse and outside of your control. Please see the link for further information and guidelines:
https://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/assessment-and-regulations/extenuating-circumstances

Assessment

Formative assessment: Formative assessment is completed during your year of study and provides the opportunity to evaluate your progress with your learning. Classroom assessment is one of the most common formative assessment techniques, although other activities and tasks may be used. Formative assessments help show you and us that you are learning and understanding the material covered in this course, and allow us to monitor your progress towards achieving the learning outcomes for the module. Although formative assessments do not directly contribute to the overall module mark, they do provide an important opportunity to receive feedback on your learning.

Summative Assessment: Summative assessment is used to check the level of learning at the end of the course. It is summative because it is based on accumulated learning during the course. The point is to ensure that students have met the learning outcomes for the course
and are at the appropriate level. It is the summative assessment that determines the grade that you are awarded for the module.

There is one assessment component in this module: Short Answer Questions

 Eight short-answer questions are provided. Four questions must be answered. You are required to use the relevant theory, case studies from the course and empirical findings from the research literature provided to support your answers. The answers must be between 400 and 500 words each (1,600-2,000 words in total). Penalties will be awarded for answers that are below or above these limits (e.g., 10% per 100 words) or fail to utilise the course material case studies and readings.

In order to pass this module, you need to pass the assessment task with a minimum grade of 16 (40%).

Before you submit your work for final grading, please ensure that you have accurately referenced the work. It is your responsibility to check spelling and grammar. If you have submitted a formative or draft assessment, you will receive feedback but no grade. The comments should inform you about how well you have done or tell you about the areas for improvement. All assignments should be submitted online unless specified in the assessment briefs.

The following tables provide an overview of the requirements for each component (formative and summative). The support provided for each component, along with the feedback arrangements, is also detailed on the following page.

Formative Assessment 1

Formative Assessment 2

Summative Assessment

Coursework briefing will take place in week 5.

Additional academic support:

• You are free to make an online appointment with the Subject Librarian for literature and data resources: Jamie Halstead via jamie1@mdx.ac.uk
• You are free to make an online appointment with the academic skills team.

• Please note that due to the nature of the assessment and the provision of the formative assessment, the ML will not read through assignment drafts before submission; you will have received feedback on the outlines of your answers through the formative assessment already. Please do not email drafts to your seminar tutor and expect verbal or written feedback. Students are encouraged to produce an outline of their assignment and submit it via the formative assessment link in my learning and receive feedback on potential strengths, weaknesses, and next steps.

Feedback on your Assignments

You will be provided with feedback on all coursework that is helpful and informative, consistent with aiding the learning and development process. The nature of the feedback shall be determined at programme level but may take a variety of forms including: written comments; individual and group tutorial feedback; peer feedback; or other forms of effective and efficient feedback.
Feedback will normally be provided within 15 WORKING DAYS of the published coursework component submission date as stated in the programme handbook.

How is your Assignment Mark Agreed?

The following diagram provides an overview of the marking process for your module assessment. Further information on the role of external examiners can be found at. http://unihub.mdx.ac.uk/your-study/ensuring-quality/external-examiners

• You submit your assignment
• The first marker grades the work and provides feedback; this could be completed anonymously depending on the assessment type.
• A moderator or second marker reviews a sample of the work to quality assure the grades and feedback, to ensure they are accurate. A final mark for the work is agreed between the first marker and the moderator or the second marker.
• A sample of work is sent to the External Examiner to check that the grading and feedback are at the right level and in line with external subject benchmarks (this applies to levels 5 & 6 only)
• Your final grades are submitted to the subject assessment board.

Anonymous Marking Assessment Policy

We have worked with the MDXSU to create an anonymous marking policy in response to student feedback. Anonymous marking ensures that your identity (your name, student number and other personal/identifiable information) is not made available to academics when they are marking your work. This means that you can have confidence that your assessments will be marked fairly and consistently. However, there are some forms of assessment for which anonymity cannot be guaranteed, and these are recognised in the policy. We believe that it is important to provide you with the support and guidance needed to help you develop and prepare for your final assessments (those which count towards your final grades, i.e. summative assessments). Therefore, anonymous marking will not apply to learning activities and assessments that do not contribute to your final grades (i.e. formative assessments). If you require further information and support to understand how anonymous marking works in your programme modules, please contact the Module Leader for more information.

The Anonymous Marking Assessment Policy is available at:

https://www.mdx.ac.uk/data/assets/pdf_file/0037/563599/anonymous-marking-assessment-policy.pdf