Aarhus University Lecture 36: Introduction

WELCOME TO METHODS DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION Agenda 1. Introducing the course and all its elements Why (another) methods course? Who are we – and who are you Course mechanics 2. Starting your projects Developing research questions...

WELCOME TO METHODS DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY INTRODUCTION Agenda 1. Introducing the course and all its elements Why (another) methods course? Who are we – and who are you Course mechanics 2. Starting your projects Developing research questions The role of theory DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY HOW DO WE KNOW SOMETHING? Area Approach Result Ideal Who Religion Faith Answer Dogmatic Sage/priest Craftmanship Tradition Solution Pragmatic Master Science Method Certain Scepticism Scientist knowledge DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY  SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE A systematic and disciplined enterprise Methodologically well founded Rigourous application of scientific methods Can be tested (verified/falsified) Acceptance within a relevant research community and society DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY SCIENTIFIC METHODS? Techniques for generating knowledge If this knowledge is empicial it involves data – qualitative and/or quantitative Method and Validation Method: the systematics we employ in our work to validate/justify our knowing Validation: the way we justify and argue for our knowing DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY RESEARCH MISCONDUCT & QUESTIONABLE RESEARCH PRACTICE The law defines research misconduct as: Fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism committed willfully or gross negligent in planning, performing, or reporting of research. Fabrication: Undisclosed construction of data or substitution with fictitious data. Falsification: Manipulation of research material, equipment or process as well as changing or omitting data or results making the research misleading. Plagiarism: Appropriation of others' ideas, processes, results, texts or specific terms without rightful crediting." The law defines questionable research practice as: “Breaches of current standards on responsible conduct of research, including those of the Danish code of conduct, and other applicable institutional, national and international practices and guidelines on research integrity.” (Ministry of Higher Education and Science) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY REMEMBER… This course is NOT only about grades! It is about building a strong foundation in research methodologies that you can carry forward into your future endeavors. Understanding research methods is crucial for making informed decisions and contributing to the body of knowledge in business. No matter whether you're planning to pursue a career in academia or the corporate world DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY  THIS METHODS COURSE DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SIGNE HEDEBOE FREDERIKSEN AARHUS UNIVERSITY 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR COURSE ‘MECHANICS’ The course consists of the following elements: Lectures Supervision tutorials Group research & project presentations You will work in groups of 4 Extensive readings & preparations Written group project report Oral exam Course description for your course can be found on Brightspace or AU course catalogue DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHO ARE WE? - LECTURES Sarah Lysdal Krøtel Signe Hedeboe Frederiksen Irene Pollach DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHO ARE YOU? (OUR PRE-UNDERSTANDINGS) From (many) different study-lines Different experiences with methods Interested in developing competences within your field Methods enthusiasts?? DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHO ARE YOU? Results from the survey  “BA thesis – which category best describes the nature of your bachelor thesis?” ​ DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHO ARE YOU? Results from the survey  “I can perform a regression analysis and interpret the output” DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY PARTICIPATION IN CLASS Listening – writing notes Reflecting individually Reflecting, discussing and working in groups Any questions, doubts – ASK! DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY THE RESEARCH PROJECT Parallel to the lectures, students will form teams and conduct a semester-long research project of their own. The research project consists of two self-contained studies with a common problem statement: one qualitative and one quantitative. Students must develop their own research question(s) and conduct their own analysis. The qualitative and quantitative studies can also be combined in a mixed methods study with one single research question. The two studies should be somewhat balanced in terms of scope and size. The group report of maximum 55,000 characters (incl spaces) is followed by an individual oral exam. Only participants whose team has handed in a complete report will be able to take the oral exam. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY , ABOUT THE ORAL EXAM Individual - 30 minutes including deliberation and feedback Individual grade decided by the performance in the exam Group feedback on the report after all group members have taken the exam Assessment: “the student must be able to critically assess and evaluate the group report based on the knowledge acquired in the course. Specifically, the oral exam focuses on the methodological choices made in the report by contrasting the design and methods chosen with alternative methods and design types. The exam will thus take its point of departure in the content of the report, but the content will be discussed in relation to the content of the overall course. In addition, questions on the entire curriculum will be asked. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY METHODS FOR POSTGRADUATES Building on your previous knowledge sharpening your skills For a thorough introduction/recap: Bell, Bryman and Harley 2022 Business Research Methods Oxford University Press DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHAT ABOUT AI? We strongly encourage using AI Still YOU need to practice and learn the craft of knowledge production Talk to your supervisors about the use When/if using: Remember to disclose your use - reference Be critical! DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY  STARTING THE JOURNEY DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY QUANT AND QUAL COMPLEMENTARY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES Quantitative Qualitative Strenghts Measuring variance and correlation Data (analysis) based on participants’ own The possibility of statistical generalization categories of meaning Objective methods of analysis Description and explanation of processes and Theory testing change Allows prediction Theory building Quick data collection Sensitivity to context and rich detail Higher credibility with people in power Ability to integrate multiple perspectives Weaknesses Limited ability to capture processes and Inability to generalize to populations (other change. settings) Difficulty in establishing linear causality Difficult to make predictions Lacking sensitivity to context Limited ability to test theory Researcher categories and theories may (Overly) reliant on subjective judgments in not reflect local understandings analysis. Lower credibility with some people in power (administators) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY  RESEARCH QUESTIONS DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SIGNE HEDEBOE FREDERIKSEN AARHUS UNIVERSITY 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR WHAT IS A RESEARCH QUESTION? Interrogative statement. Specification of exactly the question that the research will attempt to answer. Extension of the purpose of the study (related to what we are trying to achieve with the study) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY THE ROLE(S) OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS Research questions ”provide a framework for conducting the study, helping the resesarcher to organize the research giving it relevance, direction, and coherence, thereby helping to keep the researchers focused during the course of the investigation” (Onwegbuzie & Leech, p. 478). Drive methods used Help frame a report for the reader DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHERE DO RESEARCH QUESTIONS COME FROM? Theories. Past (practical) experience. Data. Practical/managerial problems. Gaps in the body of scientific knowledge. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY THE ROLE(S) OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS Reference point for research design and execution decisions, helping to: Specify limits of the study Specify unit(s) of analysis – (the ”entity” being studied) Specify the level(s) of analysis Specify the data needed Specify the data analysis techniques to be used DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY  ROLES OF RQ’S Theory Inference Hypothesis Data analysis RQ Operationalisation Data collection Test DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT Empirical AARHUS UNIVERSITY  TYPICAL QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS Descriptive Quantified responses on variable(s) ”How much”, ”How many”,”What”-questions - E.g. What is the average annual revenue by small and medium sized enterprises in the technology sector in Denmark for the past five years? Comparative Comparing groups on outcome/dependent variable ”What is the difference between”-questions What is the difference in jobperformance between employees who participate in jobtraining programmes compared to those who do not participate? Relationship questions Relationship between independent and dependent variables ”What is the relation between/among”-questions e.g. What is the relation between flexible workarrangements on employee job satisfaction in a remote work environment? DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY GOOD QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS Specify: Population Independent variable(s) Dependent variable(s) Are NOT binary (yes/no) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY TYPICAL TRAITS OF QUALITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS Discover, explore or describe processes and/or experiences Are open-ended, evolving Are typically ”how” and ”why” questions Example: How do daughters navigate becoming successors to the family business and construct their identities as family business leaders? DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY GOOD QUALITATIVE RESEARCH QUESTIONS Help specify case and unit/level of analysis Are NOT interview questions Are NOT binary (yes/no) DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY MIXED METHODS AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS Combines questions that inquire into numbers and experiences/processes Dependent on mixed methods rationale and design DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY  WHAT ABOUT THEORY? DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SIGNE HEDEBOE FREDERIKSEN AARHUS UNIVERSITY 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR THEORIZING IN EVERYDAY LIFE Explanation Prediction (Strategic) behaviour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyzaLMHxVw0 DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY EXPLICIT OR IMPLICIT THEORY? Theory drives actions in daily life knowledge production and in research “Implicit theories are inherently dangerous because they discourage researchers from asking fundamental questions about the assumptions that underpin knowledge and the methods used to acquire knowledge” (Suddaby 2014) THEREFORE : Create awareness of implicit theorizations and related assumptions about your topic Seek out literature to inform and underpin your study Show explicit attention to the influence of theory in your study DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY WHAT IS THEORY IN SOCIAL RESEARCH? An explanatory statement used to help explain and understand relations among variables, how they operate and the processes involved (Kurtines & Silverman 1999 in Kawulich 2009, 37) A way of explaining observed patterns of associations between phenomena A comprehensive framework that explains the relationship between concepts, constructs, variables and propositions. DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Concepts: Labels we give to aspects of the social world to make sense of it (Bell et al. 2022) Help us think, communicate and be more disciplined about what we want to study E.g. ‘Job satisfaction’, ‘entrepreneurial identity’, ‘transaction cost’ Are inputs to our study: topic, key areas for data collection, organization of findings Are outputs of our study: help us reflect on and organize the empirical material DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY USING THEORY Depends on type of research Deductive (largely quantitative) research Inductive (largely qualitative) research Theory addressed at the beginning Used to formulate hypotheses, which can Theory as an outcome of the research process as be tested theoretical ideas emerge out of the empirical material Abductive (not associated with particular methodology) Uncovering and relying on the best set of explanations for understanding one’s results Back and forth engagement with theoretical ideas DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY THE ROLE OF THEORY IN RESEARCH PROJECTS Kawulich 2009 p. 40 DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY ANY QUESTIONS? DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY FOR NEXT TIME - THURSDAY Qualitative research designs DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT AARHUS UNIVERSITY