The mandatory module A will enable participants to match qualitative research aims with an effective qualitative research strategy and suitable qualitative research methods. The course will enable participants to critically appraise qualitative research designs and further develop the participants' own research strategies and methods.
The course is tailored to early-stage students and students at the Department of Management, BSS, AU. Participants from outside the management field at AU and external participants are welcome, but we cannot give special consideration to them.
Application deadline including research design description for both internal and external applicants: 7 February 2024.
Learning objectives
The aim of this module is to introduce PhD students to five alternative qualitative research designs that dominate management research in the department. The designs will be compared and contrasted in terms of 1) framing the research and resulting implications for research questions, 2) sampling issues, 3) data collection techniques, 5) data analysis, and 5) presentation of findings, so that participants will be able to choose the most optimal design for a particular study. Participants will work on developing their own project methodology.
Deliverables - pre-course:
Together with the application: A 3-page project description (not a description of an article but of the whole project). Follow the template below. Please use your first and surname in the document name.
Template:
Describe i. Purpose, relevance, novelty, ii. Central Research Question and potential theory questions, iii. The theoretical basis of your study, iv. Choice of research approach (ethnography, case study/grounded theory, narrative, action research, etc.), v. Sampling strategy, vi. Proposed data collection and analysis techniques.
Deliverables - post-course:
You have two options: 1. Analysing two articles selected by the course coordinator explaining your interpretation of the employed research design. Or 2. Drafting your methodology section, outlining the qualitative research design and strategy as well as your central research question and related theory questions. The description should include arguments for the decisions made and how the project is anchored with regard to the research paradigm. Minimum delivery: 5-10 pages. Deadline for submission: 1 May 2024
Please note: Attending at least 80% of the classes and submitting (pre- and post-course) assignments is a requirement for completing the course/module.
Time and place
11-13 March 2024, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Fuglesangs Allé 4, 8210 Aarhus V.
Room: 11-12 March: 2610-514 and 2610-515; 13 March: 2610-313A, 2610-313B, 2610-530 and group room: 2610-537.
Teachers
The course will include the elements below:
Course schedule
Literature (may be subject to change)
Application
Deadline for application (including research design description): 7 February 2024. Please download and fill in the application form. The application form (including pre-course assignment) should be sent by email to: Department of Management, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, att. Merete Elmann. Please note that your application is binding.
Fee
External participants (from outside Aarhus University) will be charged a fee that covers lunches and refreshments. For more information, please contact Lisbeth Widahl. Participants will have to make their own arrangements regarding travel and accommodation.
Credits
2.5 ECTS