Qualitative Methods in Business Research

Time and place: Online, May 11-14

Learning goal and objectives

The objectives are three-fold: to broaden the participants’ basic knowledge and skills within the qualitative research, to show the variety within the existing qualitative approaches and to identify methods and methodologies suitable for doctoral research projects.

The course consists of readings, hands-on exercises, individual consultation, dialogue and collective learning. Teachers’ will tackle each participant’s methodological and methodical questions through consultations.

The course has several educational objectives. The first objective is to broaden the participants’ knowledge concerning the various qualitative approaches, as well as to outline their potential for doctoral dissertations in the area of business research in various European countries. The third objective is to help students to identify appropriate qualitative methodologies and methods for their own doctoral research projects. The objective of enhancing publication process based on doctoral thesis is among the educational objectives on the course.

Instruction and examination

The course is built on prior reading, consultative discussions and hands-on-exercises on how to do qualitative research. The course consists of intensive work with small exercises, with focus on practical empirical analyses, individual consultations on doctoral student’s own thesis structure, empirical data and analysis plans, some lectures and also of on-line discussion during meetings. The course will give a wide overview to qualitative methods and is helpful for doctoral students by assisting in decision making, and selection concerning methods and methodologies, data gathering and analysis. Futhermore, the course helps students in shaping up and building the analysis plans of the data. The virtual course is based on zoom meetings, interaction and tuition that takes place on-line and off-line.

Assignments during the on-line course:

The course is based on pre-assignments and assignments made during and after the course.

There will be an exam based on pre-reading material. In addition, there are pre-assignments prior the course, and assignments during the course. A detailed working plan for the course will be delivered with the course acceptance letter.

Credits: 6 ECTS

Grading: The course will be graded on a scale from excellent, very good, good, satisfactory to sufficient. Evaluation is based on individual assignments.

Prerequisites: The course is designed particularly for doctoral students who use qualitative approaches in their own doctoral dissertation. The course is suitable for students at the early stages of their doctoral studies although basic knowledge of qualitative research is required in order to be able to follow the course.

The number of participants will be limited to create a stimulating environment. The selection among the applicants will be conducted by the Institute’s Faculty. They will review the following documents which should necessarily complement each application form.

Admittance

Application period: 1.1.–1.3.2021

Acceptance by: 15.3.2021

Interested doctoral students should register online at EIASM website (https://www.eiasm.org/frontoffice/eden_announcement.asp?event_id=1521%20) and add the required documents:

• the applicant’s curriculum vitae demonstrating his/her capabilities of doing research;
• a letter of recommendation of his/her local faculty supporting the application;
• a two-page description of his/her doctoral research, indicating the general objectives and methods and data plans

The normal participation fee for an EDEN seminar is 900 € (VAT exempt). This fee includes participation to the seminar, the documents.

As part of the collaboration between KATAJA and EIASM, the participation fee is waived for a maximum of 10 students from the KATAJA Finnish member universities. KATAJA supports these students by paying the fee with the help of a Finnish trust fund. No additional student funding, on top of the fee, is covered by KATAJA.

EIASM SCHOLARSHIPS
The Institute offers a substantial reduction of the participation fee per member institution. Scholarships are strictly limited to students coming from an EIASM Institutional Member (the Academic Council). Allocation of the scholarships is entirely at the discretion of the European Institute.

CANCELLATION POLICY
Cancellations made before April 15, 2021 will be reimbursed with 10% deduction of the total fee. No reimbursement will be possible after this date.