Why, when and how: Theory in Qualitative Empirical Studies
Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen
This is a generic course. This means that the course is reserved for PhD students at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at UCPH.
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at the Graduate School, you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrolment deadline, available seats will be allocated to the waiting list.
The course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except Copenhagen Business School), and for PhD students at NorDoc member faculties. All other participants must pay the course fee.
Learning objectives
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
1. Be conscious of motivations and incitements for choice of theory mediated between research subject (interests of researcher/you), research object (character of research area) and research environment (research milieu, supervisor)
2. Compare and discuss different theories, their status, compatibleness, statement power, scope and level of abstraction (grand theory, middle-range and micro theory) and how it applies to own project
3. Know and use knowledge about different dimensions in qualitative research e.g. genesis and structure; time, space and body; relations between fields (research, clinic, education)
4. Assess the appropriateness of the interrelatedness of paradigms, theories, methods, technicalities, research questions and empirical data material in research including knowledge about processes of deduction, induction and abduction
5. Have insight to conduct a qualitative analysis in accordance with acknowledged criteria of quality and validity
Content
This course aims to strengthen PhD students’ competencies in applying theory within qualitative research. Throughout the seminar, we will present, discuss, and operationalize how different theoretical approaches relate to empirical work and the broader research process.
We will explore the strengths and limitations of deductive, inductive, and abductive approaches, and examine how the choice of theory is interwoven with knowledge traditions (paradigms), research questions, working assumptions, methods, operationalization, coding, and results.
The course will engage with sociological and institutional theory, cultural theory, learning theory, and patientology. Special emphasis will be placed on the use of theory as a central operation in empirical research.
We will highlight how critical research requires continuous reflexivity, where every choice—explicit or implicit—has implications across all levels and phases of the research process.
Participants
The course is intended for PhD students conducting research that incorporates qualitative methods as part of their project. Participants must have basic knowledge of theory of science. Data collection should be in progress, as participants are expected to work with their own empirical material.
A total of 25 seats are available.
Relevance to graduate programmes
The course is relevant to PhD students from the following graduate programmes at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH:
Public Health and Epidemiology
Medicine, Culture and Society
Language
English
Form
The course is a three-day seminar with a day in between reserved for students to prepare their final essay presentations. Each seminar day is structured as a master class, featuring opening lectures and practical exercises. Two weeks before the course begins, participants are required to prepare and submit an essay (one full page) outlining their project and reflecting on relevant theoretical perspectives. This work is estimated to correspond to approximately 7.5 hours of effort.
The essay will serve as a working document throughout the seminar.
During the seminar, participants will:
• Work on developing their essay
• Present their research in small groups
• Receive feedback from course instructors and fellow participants
Active participation in group work, project presentations, and seminar preparation is expected.
Course director
Anette Lykke Hindhede, senior researcher, Center for Health Research, The Capital Region, and associate professor, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, anette.hindhede@sund.ku.dk
Teachers
Leslie Dubbin, associate professor, School of Nursing, University of California, San Fransisco, USA
Sasha Scambler, professor, Kings College, London, United Kingdom
Helle Timm, professor, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
Camilla Bernild, associate professor, RUC, Denmark
Kristian Larsen, professor, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Anette Lykke Hindhede, associate professor, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Dates
4 - 7 May 2026
Course location
CSS
Registration
Please register before 8 April 2026
Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules. Applications from other participants will be considered after the last day of enrolment.
Note: All applicants are asked to submit invoice details in case of no-show, late cancellation or obligation to pay the course fee (typically non-PhD students). If you are a PhD student, your participation in the course must be in agreement with your principal supervisor.