Description:

This seminar prepares students for writing their bachelor or master thesis by introducing them to a wide range of research methods used in the social sciences, particularly in business and management studies. It familiarises students with inductive, deductive, and abductive approaches and trains them to combine methodological foundations with empirical applications. Students present and discuss selected methods, critically assess empirical studies, and apply insights to their own research. Through presentations, written reports, readings, and discussions, they acquire methodological and analytical skills directly relevant for their thesis projects and future professional contexts.

Learning Targets:

After successful participation in this seminar, students will be able to

• understand how a wide range of qualitative and quantitative research methods work and under what conditions they are appropriate.
• evaluate which methods are most appropriate for different research questions, hypotheses, and data structures.
• critically assess empirical studies and their methodological choices.
• decide which methodological choice is best suited for completing their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, expanding their familiarity with advanced methods.

Literature:

The relevant literature will be announced during the course.

Formalities:

The module is assessed by means of a module-specific examination, including the following components:

- seminar presentation and moderation of discussion (50%)

- written assignment, summarising the research method presented (30 %)

- oral participation (20%)