Qualitative Methods of Empirical Research

Department

Bachelor's program Business & Management

Course unit code

B&M-B-3-SMB-QAL-SE

Number of ECTS credits allocated

3.0

Name of lecturer(s)

FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Dr. Stöckl Thomas, Poon Marilyn, PhD

Mode of delivery

-

Recommended optional program components

none

Recommended or required reading

Alvesson, M., Sandberg, J. (2013). Constructing Research Questions: Doing Interesting Research. London, UK: Sage
American Psychological Association. (2020). APA-Style. http://www.apastyle.org/
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). APA.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE.
Myers, M. D. (2013). Qualitative research in business & management (2nd ed). SAGE.
Yin, R.K. (2015). Qualitative Research from Start to Finish, 2nd edition, Guilford Publications.Further literature recommendations will be provided in class.

Additional information about examination modalities

As a student, you have three attempts to pass a course. For the course evaluation, the standard MCI grading scheme applies (pass with 60%).
For the first attempt, the examination of this course is divided into two parts:

• A group presentation during the final lecture. This part accounts for 40% of a student’s final grade. Details are provided during the first lecture.
• A written exam. This part accounts for 60% of a student’s final grade. The exam lasts 30 minutes and consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, each with four answer options. Some questions have more than one correct answer option. In total, students can reach 30 points and all questions are weighted equally. This implies that students earn a full point when answering a question correctly. There is no malus for wrong answers. To earn a full point, you need to select all correct answer options and you may not select any wrong answer options. This implies that you earn 0.25 points for each correctly selected right answer option and 0.25 points for each not selected wrong answer option. You earn no points for selecting wrong answer options as well as for not selecting right answer options.

The sum of the assessments awarded for individual parts must result in a positive overall grade.
In the case of a negative overall assessment, the examination has to be retaken.

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Fall 2025

Semester when the course unit is delivered

3

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

In “Qualitative methods of empirical research”, we aim to develop your critical ability to independently undertake and solve business problems using scientific methods, specifically qualitative research methods. You will learn about the nature and characteristics of qualitative research, how to design qualitative research studies, collect and analyze data, and present qualitative research results. Furthermore, you will become familiar with the main approaches in qualitative research methods and recent trends. Therefore, this course contributes to your proficiency in developing and executing qualitative research projects.

Course contents

Students acquire sound theoretical knowledge and develop practical skills in the areas of:
• Principles of qualitative research
• Quality criteria in qualitative research
• Overview of qualitative processes/methods
• Methodological and technical aspects of qualitative interviews:
o Developing an interview guideline
o Sampling and recruiting of interviewees
o Conducting an interview
o Documenting and transcribing an interview
o Content analysis versus hermeneutic methods

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none