PhD Courses in Denmark

Aim

Qualitative methods offer to gain new insights into exploring what motivates individual understanding and behavior. As part of the course students will be introduced to grounded theory (coding) --a widely used systematic analysis of qualitative data. Grounded theory provides structured approach (through coding) to identify deep-seated influential themes and shared socio-cultural (mental) models and assumptions, that subsequently might lead to the construction of mid-range theories. The approach is primarily inductive (at times abductive), i.e., there is an interest in exploring topics with an ‘open’ mind enabling theory building within a relevant theoretical framework. The insights from qualitative research can, in addition to theory building, also be used to establish new hypotheses that can be tested quantitatively (surveys, experimentally, etc.). As such, quantitatively oriented students might also benefit from this course. 

The qualitative data analysis is supported by different software packages (e.g., NVivo, Nudist, Atlas.ti, MAXQDA). Atlas.ti and NVivo (quite like other software programs) will be covered more generally. Both software programs now provide access to AI-generated insights into qualitative data. Thus, we will discuss this option as well. Several programs are available for students as training versions. Link: https://atlasti.com/students/ and Free Trials - NVivo, Citavi, @RISK, DecisionTools Suite, XLSTAT (lumivero.com) 

Course content
The course requires preparation and participation. You are also required to revise your research proposal, submit it for review by another fellow PhD participant, and provide a review of another fellow PhD participant’s proposal. Throughout the course, we encourage participants to discuss their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives in an open and safe environment. 

In order to get a certificate with full ECTS from the Copenhagen Business School you have to pass the following four components:

Submit a short (minimum 3-page, 1,5 line space) research proposal. Here, you formulate a research problem of your choice (preferably from your own research field, and one you envision using for your PhD), its theoretical contribution and positioning (relevance), its theoretical framework, and the research design (method to collect data). You should  - 26 January 2026. You will present and discuss this in the course with one of the instructors and a smaller group of students. Within two weeks after the course ends - 20 February 2026 the latest, you submit an updated version of your research proposal based on feedback from the class discussions and insights acquired during the course, to the course coordinator. This will then be submitted for review to one of your fellow students. 

The research proposal needs to address the following issues and will be evaluated confidentially by the instructors with a Pass or Fail (revise):
1.    the research problem
2.    theoretical positioning (within what general theoretical domain is the research located?)
3.    theoretical contribution (i.e., what is the essential hook, and is it relevant and interesting), 
4.    theoretical framework (is the chosen framework relevant for explaining the research problem?) 
5.    choice of method (is it relevant given the research problem)

Within four weeks after the course ends - 6 March 2026 the latest, you must submit (to the author and instructor) a constructive review of the updated research proposal you received from a fellow PhD participant (see above). The review should address each of above bullet points. It will be evaluated confidentially by the instructors and graded with a Pass/Remake. We will provide additional information about how to write a constructive review. As part of your review you are encouraged to take the self-guided free review course provided by leading editors in our field at:  https://researcheracademy.elsevier.com/navigating-peer-review/certified-peer-reviewer-course or watch “What JMS wants from reviewers by JMS editor Gideon Markman“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yfW0mifno8

Teaching style
The instructors cover core material in lectures and entice participants to discuss core issues. Participants present their own research as well as provide feedback on other’s research proposals. The course outlne is tentative, although we try to follow it as closely as possible. We look forward to seeing you at CBS. Attendance is taken each day. You are required to be present for all sessions and participate actively throughout, including discussing existing assumptions/theories/methods, and presenting your own thoughts and work in class. 

For further information and registration please click on the link to CBS' PhD course website.