Human Resource Management (HRM)

Training and development refers to formal, ongoing practices within organizations to improve the performance and self-fulfillment of employees through a variety of educational methods and programs, and may take the form of everything from instruction in highly specific job skills to long-term professional development.

This guide is best used as a starting place to help you find information on training techniques, instructional design, learning, employee development, employee engagement and employee reviews. We'll connect you with a variety of information sources, including books, scholarly/research articles, news, articles, data and more that explore the many and varied aspects of training and development.

Books and other resources such as videos or reports can be a very valuable resource in the research process; they are especially useful when you are looking for:

• a comprehensive overview of a topic or concept;
• major ideas, concepts, theories, and trends in relation to a topic;
• definitions, best practices, examples, and case studies; and
• practical applications of a concept or idea.

Example searches:

Use search words and phrases that describe more general topics or categories, rather than very specific ones. Try to discover the subject terms used within the database; here are several examples:

Search for books, videos and other similar resources:

During the research process, we most often find ourselves looking for journal articles, as well as articles from other similar types of publications (aka "periodicals"). The value of journal and other articles lies in their specificity and their currency - they often explore the latest developments on a very small segment of a topic, and are best:

• reports of original, theoretical, experimental or applied research;
• current trends, news and events in a particular field;
• product, company or biographical information;
• commentary on political, economic or social issues;
• interviews with leaders or notable people within the field;
• news stories with a local, regional, or national focus; and
• analysis and opinion on current events or issues.

For more on the different types of periodicals and their value, see:

Example searches:

Use search words and phrases that are specific, rather than general; use quotation marks to define phrases. The word "AND" is optional, but is useful for clarity. Here are several examples:

Associations and other organizations often provide news, statistics, research, and other resources related to the focus of the organization. While some resources may be limited to members only, they often make some information available openly.