Crafting research in business administration

The course comprises three modules. Module 1: Theory and theorisation in business administration research (4.5 ECTS cr) The aim of the module is to provide broad and in-depth knowledge of what a theory is and entails and what can be considered a theoretical contribution. The module covers different perspectives on how to define theory, a theoretical contribution, and theoretical development, as well as models that can be used to describe, understand, and critically assess theory, theory formation, and theoretical contributions presented in scientific texts. The module also treats how research approaches with different ontological and epistemological starting points contribute in different ways to theory development. Research approaches are discussed in terms of differences and relationships between inductive and deductive theory development in business administration research. There is a special focus on developing skills required to describe, analyse critically, and assess whether or not a text can be defined as theory and/or a theoretical contribution. Students produce their own texts and presentations about different scientific texts based on established models of and perspectives on theory and theorisation, and also participate in seminar discussions on the themes covered in the module. Module 2: Business administration research based on quantitative data (4.5 ECTS cr) The aim of the module is to provide broad and in-depth knowledge of how deductive studies based on quantitative data are conducted in business administration research. There is a special focus on understanding strengths and weaknesses in relation to the reliability, validity, and generalisability of conclusions reached in such studies. The module is focused on different methods for testing theoretical models and related hypotheses empirically, especially in terms of operationalising theoretical concepts. Students identify, assess, analyse, discuss, and justify choices of different quantitative methods. The module is concluded with an independent project in which students present distinctive features of sound business administration research based on quantitative data. Module 3: Business administration research based on qualitative data (6 ECTS cr) The aim of the module is to provide broad and in-depth knowledge of research based on qualitative data and qualitative methods in business administration. There is a special focus on understanding strengths and weaknesses in relation to qualitative studies and methods, as well as understanding the significance of data analysis. The main focus of the module is for students to learn how to interpret and understand different qualitative methods, construct and design studies based on selected methodological perspectives, and perform relevant data analyses. Students are expected to to identify, understand, and interpret different types of qualitative studies (or different forms of qualitative data), and then evaluate and select one or two methods and design a qualitative study and detailed data analysis in order to be able to analyse a phenomenon from the chosen perspective/s. The module is concluded with an independent project in which students describe and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different qualitative methods.