1. Welcome!

2. Learning outcomes and assessment Understand the nature, advantages, and limitations of different scientific and methodological approaches in the field of management studies examined through written exam Identify relevant methodological approaches in relation to research problems and design a scientific study examined through a written report Use variuos data collection methods and analytical techniques examined throyugh exercises and seminars

3. WeekDateTimeRoomContent and teacher 45121109 12-13 13-15 C21 Introduction Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter Theme 1 Research Design Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 4612111313-16C32 Seminar: Presenting topic and design Visit at the library Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 461211159-11C32 Theme 2 Data Collection: Interviews and Observations Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 4712112211-13D45 Theme 3: Interpreting Qualitative Data Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 471211239-11C32 Seminar: Collection and Interpreting Qualitative Data Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 4812112813-15C32 Theme 4 Data Collection: Sampling techniques and survey design Wajda Wikhamn 4812112913-15D44 Theme 5 Analysing Data Wajda Wikhamn 491212059-11B34 Seminar: Survey Wajda Wikhamn 4912120613-15D31 Seminar: Analyzing quantitative data Wajda Wikhamn 491212079-11D31 Theme 6 Writing reports Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 501212149-11D31Drop-in tutoring 21301119-13C32 Presentation of individual reports Kajsa Lindberg & Lars Walter 3130114 Exam

4. Required readings (articles are available on GUL): Bryman A. & Bell E. (2007) Business Research Methods, Oxford University Press, (second or third edition). Bergström O. and A. Diedrich (2011) Exercising social responsibility in downsizing: Enrolling and mobilizing actors at a Swedish high-tech company. Organization, 32(7): 897-919. Lindberg, K. and L. Walter (2012) Objects-in-use and organizing in action nets: A case of an Infusion Pump. Journal of Management Inquiry. Published online 16 August 2012 DOI: 10.1177/1056492612455242 Martin, P. Y., & Turner, B. A. (1986). Grounded theory and organizational research. The Journal of Applied Behavioural Science, 22(2), 141-157.

5. Written report focus on what you want to study in your master thesis describe how you will conduct your study discuss what implications and consequences will your choice of method have November 13, submit a draft (1/2 – 1 page) to Kajsa and Lars presenting an idea of a research problem, question and research design for your master thesis. December 14, drop-in tutoring January 8, e-mail the final version of paper to Kajsa and Lars January 11, presentation of the paper App. 1200-1500 words, Times New Roman, text size 12 pts, 1,5 space.

6. Introduction: Research Design and Methods Society and research – Mode 1 and Mode 2 Some terms and concepts: – Quantitative and qualitative – Deductive and inductive – Epistemology – Ontology

7. What is ”theory”? Middle-range-theories Grand theories Deductive Inductive Descriptive

8. Epistemological considerations Accepted knowledge within a discipline Positivism Interpretivism – Hermeneutic – Phenemenology (Schutz) – Symbolic interactionsim (Mead)

9. Ontological considerations The philosophical study of the nature of being, existence or reality… …”How we understand the world” – Objectivism – Constructionism Implications for the questions we ask: WHAT or HOW

10. Traditions of Qualitative research Naturalism Ethnomethodological Emotional Post-Modern

11. Research design: Experimental Cross-sectional Survey Longitudinal Case study Comparative Levels of analysis – Individuals – Groups – Organizations – Societies

12. Research design: Framework for the collection and analysis of data Research methods – techniques for collecting data Reliability, replication, validity… Credibility, transferability, dependability, confirmability

13. Qualitative research methods Ethnography Qualitative interviewing Focus groups Language-based Documentation analysis

14. Some aspects of qualitative research Triangulation Focus on context and process Role of the researcher Theoretical saturation