Research Methods Workshops

26 November 2022, Following AIB-Oceania Annual Research Symposium and PDW

Workshops and Instructors

Workshop 1: Different Qualitative Coding Approaches: Choosing Methods with Purpose (morning, 9-12)

This workshop focuses on different ways of coding qualitative data and the resulting implications for the analytic process. Analyzing qualitative data has been characterized as making sense of a spaghetti bowl of data (Langley, 1999), fitting oval pegs into round holes (Pratt, 2008), or a beautiful but messy process (O’Dwyer, 2007). Qualitative data analysis is not a ‘color by numbers’ activity with clear paths that can be replicated across a myriad of projects. Indeed, inexperienced scholars often voice their frustration at not being able to see the full detail of the analytic process in books or journal papers and connections to the resulting theoretical contributions. Hence, more revealing approaches to teaching inductive qualitative methods are needed.

One of the core strengths of qualitative research methods is the diversity of data and coding tools that can be accessed. Indeed, good qualitative research encourages researchers to engage in bricolage and adapt the methods to their respective research question, data, or context (e.g., Denzin & Lincoln, 1985; Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Yin, 2010). In this workshop, Tine will first set the stage by discussing different approaches to work with and code data (specifically grounded theory, thematic analysis, and content analysis), incorporating different epistemological traditions and their impact on coding processes. Together with the participants, we will then try out the different coding approaches on a qualitative data example. Participants will reflect on their own coding approach via an expert debrief, working through various ways to generate meaningful findings. In-so-doing, we will be able to illustrate various coding techniques and the impact of the difference between these techniques for the research process. The workshop will help novice and experienced researchers develop and expand their qualitative data analysis skills, facilitating the translation of large datasets into meaningful research findings.

Instructor biography: Tine Köhler is Associate Professor for International Management at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Her main research interests include cross-cultural management, cross-cultural communication and coordination, group processes, qualitative research methods, research design, meta-analysis, and regression. Her work has been published in Organizational Research Methods (ORM), Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management, Psychological Methods, Human Resource Management, Academy of Management Learning and Education (AMLE), and Small Group Research (SGR) (amongst others). Dr Köhler is Co-Editor-in Chief at ORM and previously held Associate Editor roles at ORM and AMLE. She serves on the editorial boards of SGR, Journal of Management Studies, AMLE, Research Methods in Strategy and Management, and Journal of Management Education.

Workshop 3: Literature Reviews in the Age of Information Overload (afternoon, 1-4pm)

Prerequisites of publishing include the identification of relevant and interesting research questions, the adequate delineation and framing of research problems, and the quality of the research design and execution. The ability to identify and analyse relevant literature underpins each stage of the research process. However, the exponential growth of publications within and outside of business and management studies can be overwhelming. Researchers need effective and efficient tools to identify, analyse, and synthesize relevant literature. This workshop offers an introduction to tools and techniques that can help researchers make sense of large bodies of literature and design search strategies that lead to manageable samples. With the proliferation of literature reviews in academic journals, the expectation of what qualifies as a meaningful literature review is constantly changing. The workshop will walk participants through some guidelines to help them keep up with the changing demands. During the workshop we will work with different software tools (e.g. EndNote, NVivo, and Vosviewer) that can aid the search and analysis process as well as enhance creativity in the initial design process.

Instructor biography: Noemi Sinkovics is Senior Lecturer in International Business at Glasgow University, UK. Prior to that, she worked at The University of Auckland, NZ and The University of Manchester, UK. Her research interests are theoretical and practical issues around entrepreneurship (including international and social entrepreneurship) and social, environmental and economic upgrading in global value chains. Her work has been published in Journal of World Business, International Business Review, International Marketing Review, Journal of Business Research, Management International Review, Journal of International Management, European Journal of International Management, Journal of Interactive Marketing, Critical Perspectives on International Business and as chapter contributions to edited volumes. Dr. Sinkovics is currently Co-Editor-in-Chief of Data in Brief and Associate Editor for Critical Perspectives on International Business. She serves on the editorial board of International Business Review, Transnational Corporations, European Management Journal, and Review of International Business and Strategy. Dr. Sinkovics also serves on the boards of Women in the Academy of International Business (WAIB), the Oceania Chapter of AIB, and the UK and Ireland Chapter of AIB.