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2025/2026  BA-BSEMO1003U  Method l. Philosophy of science and qualitative methods

English Title
Method l. Philosophy of science and qualitative methods

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Start time of the course First Quarter
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for Service and Markets
Course coordinator
  • Claudia Eger - Department of Business Humanities and Law (BHL)
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and ethics
  • Methodology and philosophy of science
Teaching methods
  • Blended learning
Last updated on 26-06-2025

Relevant links

Learning objectives
  • Explain basic concepts within the theory of science: central perspectives that regard knowledge production processes based on empirical research.
  • Discuss and develop different research strategies, appropriate to form a research project that aims to study a specific object and phenomenon qualitatively.
  • Formulate and operationalize a research problem that is suitable for treatment by means of basic qualitative methods.
  • Identify and reflect upon central qualitative methods and methodological concepts with reference to a relevant research problem.
  • Present written output in an academically structured and linguistically fluent form applying a recognized author-date referencing style.
Course prerequisites
English language skills equal to B2 level (CEFR) and math skills equal to Danish level B are recommended
Examination
Method I. Philosophy of science and qualitative methods:
Exam ECTS 7,5
Examination form Home assignment - written product
Individual or group exam Individual exam
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Case based assignment
Release of assignment The Assignment is released in Digital Exam (DE) at exam start
Duration 72 hours to prepare
Grading scale 7-point grading scale
Examiner(s) One internal examiner
Exam period Autumn
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
The re-exam will be based on a new case different from the original exam-case.
Description of the exam procedure

The final exam is a written project.

 

GenAI will be permitted as per CBS's general guidelines. Students must declare their use where required, and improper use (eg, inserting AI-generated content without citation) will be considered an academic integrity violation.

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

Understanding how knowledge is created, interpreted, and applied is at the heart of both the philosophy of science and qualitative research. This course explores the foundations of knowledge production, focusing on how qualitative methods allow us to grasp complex social realities, navigate ethical considerations, and critically engage with the world around us. Organizations depend on qualitative insights to make sense of customer experiences, inform strategic decision-making, and understand—and influence—the environments in which they act. Combining theoretical reflection with hands-on methodological training, the course will equip you with the tools to conduct qualitative research following ethical guidelines.

 

The first part of the course focuses on understanding what qualitative research is and introduces you to basic concepts within the theory of science. You will learn how to design a qualitative research study within business administration and service management. In the second part , you will be introduced to core qualitative methods and methodological techniques used in organizational research, which include participant observation, interviews, case studies, and document analysis. The course aims to develop your ability to use and combine these methods and techniques effectively and ethically, thereby enhancing your analytical skills and understanding of research ethics. In the third part of the course, you will explore fundamental concepts related to the philosophy of science and knowledge production in social science research. This section builds on the previous parts and is designed to help you develop an awareness of the different approaches to studying social science and their potential strengths and limitations.

Research-based teaching
CBS’ programmes and teaching are research-based. The following types of research-based knowledge and research-like activities are included in this course:
Research-based knowledge
  • Classic and basic theory
  • Teacher’s own research
  • Methodology
Research-like activities
  • Development of research questions
  • Data collection
  • Analysis
  • Discussion, critical reflection, modelling
  • Peer review including Peer-to-peer
Description of the teaching methods
The course will combine lecture-based teaching with case-based group exercises and workshops. The students are expected to actively participate in class, including plenary discussion, workshops and exercises. Preparation to attend the workshops are vital to the success of the course. Lecture plans, cases and questions/videos for preparation will be posted on CBS Canvas.
Feedback during the teaching period
This course is based on continuous forms of feedback, including individual and group feedback during workshops and exercises as well as peer-to-peer feedback activities.
Student workload
Classes including workshops 38 hours
Preparation for class 90 hours
Home assignments 6 hours
Exam 72 hours
Expected literature

Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen A. (2016) Qualitative Methods in Business Research (2nd edition). Sage: London.

 

Furthermore, a number of academic articles will be made available via the CBS E-library. 

 

The teacher will upload the final reading list to CBS Canvas two weeks before the course starts.

Last updated on 26-06-2025