Summer term
MW94 - People Analytics
The master's module MW94 - People Analytics is offered in the summer semester, with the next session taking place in summer semester 2025. Both courses (Course 1: Lecture, Course 2: Exercise) will be held fully in person.
Note: Please register for both Course 1 and Course 2 in HIS-LSF by March 16, 2025. Course places will be allocated on March 17, 2025. After this, a waiting list will be maintained. Waitlisted students may be admitted until April 9, 2025, if spots become available.
The first course focuses on various aspects of People Analytics in an HR context. After completing the course, students will be able to identify challenges in data collection and cause-effect relationships within People Analytics in companies. This also includes deriving management and HR measures and adapting them to company-specific circumstances.
The second course provides methodological fundamentals, equipping students with the necessary tools to conduct their own empirical project during the course. In the seminar paper, students will analyze a self-selected dataset with a self-chosen research question using SPSS. Prior SPSS knowledge is not required, as the module is designed to teach both the use of the software and the application of People Analytics questions. Additionally, regular completion of progress tests and exercises in ILIAS as well as active participation is required.
Our teaching evaluations particularly highlight the combination of current HR topics and methodological knowledge, which enables students to apply what they have learned in their own studies. The mix of synchronous and asynchronous sessions allows for flexible and individualized support throughout the semester. Students can further apply and deepen their knowledge through e-tests and Kahoots.
Please check the latest information and registration deadlines in HIS-LSF .
Module Description
The master module People Analytics (8 ECTS) deals with the contents, methods and analysis procedures in the context of people analytics and empirical management research in companies.
Course 1: Fundamentals and Theory of People Analytics
- Basics of People Analytics
- Scientific theoretical basics: From theory to hypothesis
- Concept specification and operationalization
- Forms of investigation and research designs
- Data collection techniques (survey methods, "Big Data")
- Data preparation and data analysis (factor analysis, regressions)
- Trends and topics in people analytics
Course 2: Application-oriented seminar on people analytics
- Introduction to the use of a statistical software package (e.g. SPSS)
- Application-oriented case studies from the field of people analytics
- (e.g. diversity, fluctuation, recruitment/selection, influence of interventions)
- Application of the content from course 1 and 2 to individual company data sets on specific issues of people analytics
- Carrying out your own empirical project in group work on the basis of the knowledge imparted, current research literature and the data sets provided (or other data sets)
Learning Objectives and Competencies:
Upon completion of the module, students will be able to
- Present the challenges of data collection and cause-effect relationships in the context of people analytics in organizations;
- explain and critically discuss different aspects of people analytics and causal relationships;
- assess and explain the increasing importance of people analytics and empirical methods in business practice ("evidence-based practice" principle);
- analyze and explain critical developments in management and human resources and forecast future events and developments in the people management of companies;
- adapt and design management and human resources measures to company-specific characteristics using people analytics.
- In addition, the design of course 2 is suitable for integrating the knowledge acquired in course 1 in a group work that promotes social competencies (e.g. conflict resolution skills, assumption of responsibility, assertiveness) as well as individual methodological competence and contributes to the acquisition or expansion of presentation techniques.
Examination performance:
A miscellaneous examination performance is planned as project work in group work.
Depending on the topic, the examination performance can be assigned to the focal points HRM and corporate management.
Participation requirements:
Admission to the Master's programs "Business Administration", "Economics" . Specialized knowledge of economics is assumed. For course 2, participants are also recommended to have basic knowledge of descriptive statistics. Knowledge of a statistical software program (e.g. SPSS) is not necessary.
Important note on registration:
Basically, only master students with the new PO2020 can take this module and book it into their course of study or major with the specified ECTS.
Master's students who studied according to an older PO may take the module, but they can only book the module as a voluntary additional module without ECTS in the course of study. Upon request, this additional module can then be entered on their certificate.
The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 25.
Detailed information about the courses (dates, rooms, etc.) can be found in the course catalog (HIS-LSF).
In addition, registration in the HIS-LSF is generally mandatory for all courses! Please be sure to observe the registration deadlines!
All course-related materials are available for all course participants in the ILIAS-portal of the University of Düsseldorf after timely registration before the start of the event!
Following changes to the examination regulations as of October 2021, the examinations taken in MW94 and the MQ module will also count towards the Human Resource Management and Corporate Management concentrations.
For detailed information about the events (dates, rooms, etc.), please refer to the course catalog (HIS LSF).
In addition, registration in the HIS LSF is generally mandatory for all courses! Please be sure to observe the registration deadlines!
All course-related materials are available for all course participants in the ILIAS-portal of the University of Düsseldorf after timely registration before the start of the course!