MET531 Introduction to research methods

• Topics

  This course introduces relevant research methods for research in strategy and management. It covers both quantitative and qualitative research traditions. The course gives a brief introduction to basic research methods to enable students to interpret research results and findings from the various methods and evaluate the results in terms of meaning, substance and limitations. The course forms the basis of students' informed decision to follow a more advanced course in either qualitative or quantitative methods in the spring term.

• Learning outcome

  After completion of the course, the students will be able to:

  Knowledge

  • Interpret research results from qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • Evaluate results from qualitative and quantitative research methods

  Skills

  • Extract and communicate key findings from qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Evaluate appropriate strategies for data collection and data analysis within qualitative and quantitative research.
  • Formulate appropriate research questions for qualitative and quantitative methods.

  General competencies

  • Communicate and discuss qualitative and quantitative research in a clear-cut manner.

• Teaching

  Teaching is based on active participation of the students

  Day 1 focuses on Qualitative Methods and the students are expected to take responsibility as "experts" on assigned papers.

  Day 2 follows the same format but focuses on Quantitative Methods.

  Day 3 is a half-day workshop format to get students started on their term paper.

• Restricted access

  • PhD candidates at NHH.
  • PhD candidates at Norwegian institutions.
  • PhD candidates at other institutions.
  • PhD candidates from the ENGAGE.EU alliance.
  • Motivated master student's may be admitted after application but are subject to the approval from the course responsible on a case by case basis.
  • Motivated master's students at NHH may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible on a case by case basis.
  • Individuals outside academia may be admitted after application, but are subject to the approval from the course responsible and the Vice Rector for Research on a case by case basis.

  Maximum number of participants: 20

• Recommended prerequisites

  No prerequisites.

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  None.

• Compulsory Activity

  Active participation in class sessions and workshops.

  Compulsory activities (work requirements) are valid for one semester after the semester they were obtained.

• Assessment

  The final course grade (AF) is based on the individual course paper (max 10 pages).

  The course paper includes two parts: (1) the students should find two substantive empirical research papers - one qualitative and one quantitative - within their own field of interest and use terminology and criteria in the course to critically reflect on the two studies' findings and contribution to the field (75%) (2) the students will be asked to reflect on their takeaways from this course, eg tied to a specific aspect/issue (25%)

  Students will have 3 weeks to complete the individual course paper and it must be written in English.

  Re-take is offered the semester after the course was offered for students with valid compulsory activities (work requirements).

• Grading Scale

  Grading scale: AF

• Literature

  The literature consists of research articles that will be posted on Leganto in Canvas.