(May be subject to change)
Mandatory module A enables participants to align qualitative research aims with appropriate qualitative research strategies and methods. The course supports participants in critically appraising qualitative research designs and in further developing and refining their own research strategies and methodological choices.
The course is tailored to early-stage PhD-students and PhD-students affiliated with the Department of Management, BSS, Aarhus University. Participants from other disciplines at Aarhus University as well as external participants are welcome, but the course does not offer special consideration to other disclipline-specific contexts.
Application deadline including research design description: 9 February 2026 (please use the template below, under pre-course deliverable).
Learning objectives
The aim of this module is to introduce PhD students to a range of approaches to designing qualitative research within the field of management. We explore how different approaches inform and shape the research process including: 1) the framing of the study and its implications for research questions, 2) sampling strategies, 3) data collection practices, 5) approaches to qualitative data analysis, and 5) the presentation of findings. Participants will be supported in developing reflexive methodological choices and will work on articulating and refining their own project methodology.
Pre-course deliverable
Together with the application: A maximum three -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. Students just hired as of February 1st can use the proposal on which they were accepted for the PhD.
Template
Describe i. Motivation (purpose of research, gap, relevance of filling the research gap), ii. Research Question(s), iii. The theoretical basis of your study, iv. Choice of research approach, v. Sampling strategy, vi. Proposed data collection and data analysis practices.
Please note: Completion of the course/module requires attendance at a minimum of 80% of the classes, submission of the pre-course assignment, and active participation in the presentation and discussion of the participants’ projects in small groups on the final day of the course.
Time and place
25-27 February 2026, Aarhus BSS, Aarhus University, Universitetsbyen, 8000 Aarhus
Room:
25-26 February: 1816-136, Universitetsbyen 55, 8000 Aarhus
27 February: 1816-136, 1816-144, Universitetsbyen 55, and meeting rooms 1834-340 and 1834-346, Universitetsbyen 61, 8000 Aarhus (Dept. of Management)
Teachers
The course will include the elements below:
Course schedule will be announced
Literature
Will be announced on the learning platform Brightspace in due time before course start
Application
Deadline for application (including research design description): 9 February 2026. 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. Lisbeth Widahl. 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