Research Methods 2

In this course, students will work with existing interview data made available specifically for this purpose and analyze it based on a theoretical framework they develop themselves. Students will be provided with a broad research objective, within which they must formulate a more specific research question based on the available data. The data analysis must directly align with this research objective. For example, if the assignment requires a comparison between two organizations, this comparative focus must be clearly reflected in the way the data is analyzed. The theoretical framework will be built using an article provided by an expert in a specific field, supplemented by at least two additional articles that students must locate independently using Scopus.

For the data analysis, students will adopt a constructivist worldview and, following Charmaz (2008), apply both open (inductive) and closed (deductive) coding to identify themes in the data and explore potential relationships between them.

Students will learn to use Atlas.ti, a software tool for coding textual, audio, and visual data, to analyze code frequencies, create co-occurrence tables, and generate network views of the key concepts (also referred to as categories or themes) central to their research.

Ultimately, students will produce a research paper, presenting their findings in a coherent written narrative (not in bullet points). Before submitting the paper, students will present their work during an online session, using a PowerPoint presentation, to one or more experts in order to receive feedback.

Students will collaborate on the research paper in groups of two or three. In addition, each student is required to write an individual reflection on their learning process.

This course is specifically designed for Master's students who have previously completed Research Methods 1 (RM1) within the MBE program. The course will not repeat content from AC1, AC2, AC3, or RM1. Students are expected to have prior knowledge of literature searching in Scopus, research proposal development, and the use of literature (theory) in research, as well as familiarity with Blaikie's book on research methods used in RM1.