Universität Wien
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040085 SE Qualitative Research Methods (MA) (2025S)

4.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 4 - Wirtschaftswissenschaften
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 24 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Tuesday 06.05. 10:00 - 11:15 Hörsaal 14 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 06.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 06.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 06.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 06.05. 16:45 - 17:30 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Thursday 08.05. 09:45 - 17:30 Seminarraum 5 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.05. 10:00 - 11:15 Seminarraum 6 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 1.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.05. 11:30 - 13:00 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.05. 13:15 - 14:45 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock
  • Tuesday 13.05. 15:00 - 18:15 Seminarraum 13 Oskar-Morgenstern-Platz 1 2.Stock

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The aim of this course is to offer Master’s students the opportunity to explore qualitative research and understand its academic potential and practical dimensions. Emphasis will be placed on different qualitative methods including qualitative case study research, qualitative interviews and focus group research. It will also consider analysis of qualitative data drawing on examples of relevant academic research. The course seeks a balance between practice and theory, and between action and reflection.

This course is divided into eight main parts focusing on the following topics:
(1) Introduction to qualitative research, its uniqueness and theorising potential;
(2) Different types of qualitative research;
(3) Qualitative case study;
(4) Sampling in qualitative research;
(5) Qualitative interviewing;
(6) Focus Group research (if time permits);
(7) Qualitative data analysis;
(8) Criteriology in qualitative research.

By the end of the course Master’s students are expected to:
1. Understand the role of qualitative research in academic research.
2. Define qualitative case study research; consider the theoretical objectives that case study research serves.
3. Understand that case study sampling involves multiple decisions: specify the units of analysis in case study research, select case study sampling strategies and sources of evidence.
4. Develop an understanding on how to collect data from conducting interviews and focus group research.
5. Understand the qualitative data analysis.
6. Understand different criteria for assessing the quality of qualitative research.
Each part of the course is based on an analysis and discussion of examples as well as relevant pre-readings.

For more information please visit https://international-business.univie.ac.at/studies/master-courses/

Assessment and permitted materials

The evaluation is structured as follows:
• Participation in class discussion (10% of the final grade)
• Group presentation (45%): Present and discuss an empirical article that employs qualitative research. Explain how the selected empirical paper has influenced the methodological decisions in your Master thesis. Provide a thorough analysis of the methodological choices in the article. The presentation will take place during the last day of the course. Groups will be announced on the first day of the course. Please select an empirical qualitative article from top tier academic journals (e.g. Academy of Management Journal, Administrative Science Quarterly, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management Studies, Organization Studies, Strategic Management Journal.)
• Skeleton of the Methodology Chapter of your Master Thesis (45%): The skeleton should include all sections of the methodology chapter of your Master thesis together with a paragraph discussion of what you intend to discuss in each section. Length 4 pages, excluding references.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

1 ≥ 88%
2 ≥ 75%
3 ≥ 63%
4 ≥ 50%

Registered students who, for whatever reason, are not able to take the course must de-register electronically. The latest date by which the course can be dropped is May 6th. Students who decide to drop the course after this deadline will be graded with 5 (failed).

It is absolutely essential that all registered students attend the first session on May 6th (Introduction/Vorbesprechung) as failure to do so will result in their exclusion from the course. Students should also regularly check our homepage and Moodle for any changes in dates/times or way of connecting online.

Examination topics

class participation, class presentation and skeleton of the methodology chapter

Reading list

please see the Reading list on the syllabus

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 29.04.2025 12:25