The School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management (IPS & HRM) at the North-West University (NWU) recently held its highly anticipated annual master’s degree research retreat at Stonehenge River Lodge in Parys.

This two-day affair, organised by Dr Neil Barnard and Prof Marissa Brouwers, successfully brought together students, academic staff and guest speakers to enhance research capabilities and promote collaborative learning. The sponsors of the event included the Optentia and WorkWell research units.

The retreat focused on several key objectives. Primarily, it aimed to foster collaboration within the IPS & HRM across the Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark campuses.

“The event provided an environment conducive to focused guidance on student research projects, while also facilitating engagement with supervisors and peers. The overarching goal was to support students in effectively navigating their research journeys, reinforcing an academic culture of collaboration and exploration,” says Prof Brouwers.

The retreat attracted a diverse group of 42 participants, comprising master’s degree students from Industrial Psychology, Human Resource Management and Labour Relations Management, as well as staff and guests. The students actively engaged in discussions about their research challenges and aspirations. Potential supervisors and academic staff in turn provided invaluable feedback, mentorship and insights. In addition, guest speakers shared their expertise on various pertinent topics surrounding research practices and academic writing. The retreat featured a robust lineup of presentations that covered critical themes necessary for research development.

Among the topics discussed were:

· “Your Why and Purpose” by Dr Neil Barnard delved into the motivations behind pursuing research and understanding one's purpose in the field.

· “Personality Preferences and Team Building”, authored by Prof Elrie Oosthuysen, examined how different personality types can influence team dynamics and effectiveness in collaborative research settings.

· In “Overcoming Challenges in Research”, Prof Ian Rothmann discussed common obstacles researchers face and provided strategies for navigating and overcoming these challenges.

· “Choosing the Right Research Topic”, co-authored by Prof Brouwers and Prof Bennie Linde, offered guidance on selecting a research topic that not only interests the researcher, but also contributes meaningfully to the field.

· Dr Barnard also presented “Research Software and Resources”, highlighting essential digital tools and resources that can enhance the research process and improve efficiency.

· Carla du Plessis covered emotion artificial intelligence (EAI). The study focused on gaining the perceptions of industrial psychologists in the existence and use of emotion artificial intelligence.

· “The Significance of Research” by Prof Crizelle Els emphasised the importance of research in advancing knowledge and its potential to drive societal change.

These presentations were complemented by interactive group discussions, allowing students to refine their research ideas before presenting them to a panel at the end of the retreat. The retreat

also included various engaging activities and workshops, including presentations from both students and faculty that emphasised key research methodologies, focus group sessions, brainstorming sessions, one-on-one consultations, student presentations and networking opportunities that encouraged discussions that linked academic theories with industry practices.

Dr Barnard says these activities not only encouraged teamwork, but also nurtured critical thinking, ensuring that students left the retreat with strengthened research proposals and a deeper understanding of their academic pursuits.

"Feedback from the participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with the retreat. Participants appreciated the informative sessions and specifically noted the value of discussions and insights gained from the lectures. We also plan to include the Mahikeng Campus in next year's retreat," says Dr Barnard.

Prof Brouwers thanks the sponsors, academic and support staff, presenters and students for making the retreat a success.

The NWU’s School of Industrial Psychology and Human Resource Management recently held its highly anticipated annual master’s degree research retreat.