To place new developments in the field of performance management, and the increasing demand for HRD practitioners to act as learning consultants, in their intellectual and practical context, and so provide students with an understanding of the sources of change which are leading to the transformation of their roles; to identify the new skills and competencies required for trainers affected by these changes; to provide the knowledge that will enable them to develop their skills both in supporting the learning process and performance management. To equip students with the necessary research skills to undertake research work in the area of human resource development.