PhD Seminar: Qualitative Research Methods (Nov 2020)
31/03/2020
Background
As part of CBS' Ph.D. seminars, the Department of Marketing is offering a Ph.D. seminar on Qualitative Research Methods. The seminar will by run by Professor Torsten Ringberg (Copenhagen Business School) and Professor Markus Reihlen (Leuphana University of Lüneburg).
This Ph.D. seminar is for Ph.D. students (regular and industrial) in business, organization, marketing, and management. However, students from other social-science disciplines may also find this seminar relevant for developing a qualitative research approach. The two instructors bring with them extensive experiences with social science theories and how to extract relevant data using a range of methods, such as case-studies and semi-structured in-depth interviews. Both instructors have published in leading international academic journals.
Qualitative research is a research strategy that emphasizes large bodies of unstructured data (textual, graphical, audio, and video data) that cannot be analyzed meaningfully by formal, statistical approaches. Despite differences, qualitative research approaches share at least the following two assumptions: (1) by systematically generating and analyzing data, new theory can be discovered (inductive view), and (2) this theory stresses the understanding of the socio-cultural world through an examination of interpretations of that world by its participants. Since each particular research method is informed by different philosophical traditions, this seminar will first introduce different philosophical perspectives ranging from positivism to interpretivism and postmodernism. Students will then be introduced to various theoretical orientations within the interpretive paradigm and how each brings along certain epistemological assumptions as to the construction of meaning and representation of reality (realities), as well as require unique methodological considerations. We will cover various qualitative approaches (e.g., grounded theory, action research, case studies, ZMET) and discuss their pros and cons given the students' particular research question(s). Whereas the case studies and participant observations represent a holistic approach, the ZMET semi-structured in-depth interview surfaces subconsciously mindsets (mental models) that inform and motivate the sense-making related to a given issue within a given group or subculture of people under study.
Content
Qualitative methods provide the opportunity to gain new insights into motivators of behavior and to build new theory. As part of the seminar, students will be introduced to how to analyze the data through grounded theory (coding), which is a general method involving comparative analyses for qualitative data. The idea of the grounded theory is to code the text into meaningful themes that enable the identification of deep- seated socio-cultural models, propositions, assumptions, and mid-range theories. The approach is primarily inductive, that is, there are no prior hypotheses to be established or tested, but rather a research question to be explored. The insights from qualitative research can, in addition to theory building, also be used to establish hypotheses that can be addressed quantitatively (surveys, experimentally etc.). As such, quantitatively oriented students might also benefit from this course.
The qualitative data analysis is supported by different software packages (e.g., NVivo, Nudist, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA). Only Atlas.ti will be covered more generally. It is possible to download and install a training version of the software program Atlas.ti 7.0 on your laptop computer. Link: http://www.atlasti.com/de/demo.html. Also, you can consult online tutorials for a more detailed coverage- see below links). The seminar represents a Ph.D. workshop. Throughout the seminar, initiatives, creativity, and critical thinking on part of the students will be appreciated and encouraged.
Preparation & exam
This seminar requires preparation by students before each session and dynamic interaction in the classroom. Students are encouraged to debate their particular views, methodological problems, and research issues in class. In order to get a certificate from the Copenhagen Business School you have to pass the following components:
A short group presentation. Students will be assigned to small groups after enrollment. Each group will prepare an in-class presentation of one academic papers and present it. It should include no more than five slides that concisely (and briefly) highlight the research problem, research contribution (the hook, why it is relevant and interesting), research design, theoretical framework, methods, findings, discussion (incl. your take-aways). Each group will be allotted 15 min for the presentation. You will need to read, discuss, and prepare the short presentation among you via email etc. before the course starts and submit it to us prior to the start of the course.
A short research proposal. Here, you formulate a research problem of your choice (preferably from your own research field or one you envision using for a Ph.D. paper), its contribution (relevance), theoretical framework, and the research design (method to collect data). It should be approx. 10 pages (double line-space) in length. You should hand in the research proposal latest two weeks before course start. You will present and discuss this in the course. Within two weeks after the course ends, you submit an updated version of your proposal based on feedback and general knowledge acquired during the course to the course coordinators. It will then be submitted for review by a fellow student, who we choose (see next bullet point).
Review of a research proposal. In order to learn from each other you also will be asked to write a constructive review (approx. 1-2 pages long) of a fellow Ph.D. student’s updated research proposal and turn this in two weeks after you receive it (four weeks after the course ends). We will provide additional information about how to write a constructive review
In-class participation: We expect you to show up for all seminar sessions and participate actively throughout, including challenge existing assumptions/theories/methods and present your own thoughts and work in class.
Instructors will cover core material incl. active student participation (lectures and discussions). Student presentations. Discussion with students about their individual research projects.
Within two weeks after the seminar ends, you submit an updated version of your proposal based on feedback and general knowledge acquired during the course to the course coordinators. They will then submit it for review to one of your fellow student, who we choose (see next bullet point).
In order to learn from each other you also will be asked to write a constructive review (approx. 1-2 pages long) of a fellow Ph.D. student’s updated research proposal and turn this in two weeks after you receive it (four weeks after the course ends). We will provide additional information about how to write a constructive review.
Duration, contact & registration
Start date: 03/11/2020
End date: 06/11/2020
ECTS: 5
Language: English
Contact information:
Content of the course: Torsten Ringberg - tri.marktg@cbs.dk
Administration: Bente S. Ramovic - bsr.research@cbs.dk
Registration deadline: 24/09/2020
Please note that your registration is binding after the registration deadline.
Please visit this website for detailed info and registration
Sidst opdateret: Department of Marketing // 25/01/2024