Feeling Lost with M.PHIL Management Exam Prep? Need Guidance and Study Resources!

I am pursuing an M.PHIL in Management and have submitted my dissertation on the "Changing Role of HRM in the Corporate World." I am seeking assistance on how to commence my examination studies. If anyone could provide me with study materials or study methods, or if anyone has sample papers for the following topics - 1) Research Methodology and Data Analysis and 2) Management Thought and Thinkers, it would be of great help. I am feeling really confused about what to study and what to focus on. Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Since no one near me or in my family has pursued an M.PHIL, I am feeling quite lost and in need of guidance.

Regards,
Meenakshi

Dear Meenakshi,

I have copied your email and my responses in blue for the benefit of other members who may be in a similar situation to you.

Examination Preparation for M.Phil in Management

I have to study for my theoretical examination, which consists of two papers:
1) Research Methodology and Data Analysis
2) Management Thoughts and Thinkers

I am a bit puzzled, as normally students have to pass the theory papers before embarking on an M.Phil dissertation. Have you submitted your proposal or synopsis for your M.Phil, or have you submitted the dissertation?

Since I am doing an M.Phil in Management, I believe the above exams will be based on HRM. However, I don't have any clue which books to study since there are no course books for theory exams, and I am unsure about the pattern.

My dissertation topic is the changing role of HRM in the corporate world, which I have submitted for approval and am still waiting for the results.

Study Resources and Guidance

Please go through the PowerPoint slides attached. They contain references to books and websites that will be useful for research methods and data collection. Also, please refer to "Management Thought Leaders: Who Made the Breakthroughs?" for information about management thinkers.

If you can help me by providing any study material or offering guidance regarding M.Phil exams, sample questions, or study material, it would be greatly appreciated.

I only have the names of some reference books to study from, like "HRM" by Ashwathappa and "Personnel Management" by Edwin Flippo, but not much information.

If you can assist me in any way, I would be grateful to you.

Thanks

Regards,
Meenakshi

Hello, first of all, thank you so much for the above, and apologies for the incomplete information about my studies. Let me clarify. I have completed my PGDBA in HRM, and after that, I still wanted to pursue further studies. Since I am working, I am pursuing my M.Phil through distance education in India. It's a one-year course.

First, I submitted my synopsis, which was approved in August. Then, with the help of a guide, I submitted my dissertation at the end of October, and now I am awaiting the results.

As per the information I have from the university, I have to appear for two theory exams and a viva, most probably in February 2012. Upon a positive result, I will be awarded.

As mentioned in my initial post, no one near me or in my family has done an M.Phil before, so I sometimes feel lost, confused, and in need of guidance. I am looking for help regarding studying for the theory exams—information on study patterns, ways to format answers, and useful study materials for the M.Phil Management examination.

It's always better to ask and gather information to stay on the right path because I am genuinely looking forward and do not want to make mistakes.

Many thanks.

Best Regards, Meenakshi