International Research Workshop - Methods for PhD

Empirical research is a critical methodological approach that involves systematic and scientific investigation to discover new and insightful facts. It typically involves selecting a research topic, grounding the idea in relevant theory, gathering and analysing data, and presenting results in scientific contexts. The ultimate goal of empirical research is to contribute new knowledge and insights to the body of existing information, not only for personal gain but also for the benefit of others. Our workshop is designed to help researchers navigate the various steps involved in conducting empirical research. Specifically, we focus on two critical steps in the research process: gathering data through (un)structured interviews and analyzing standardized survey data, and using tools for qualitative data analysis and statistics. The first step—gathering data through (un)structured interviews—involves developing a set of relevant questions and conducting interviews with participants. This can be done in a structured manner, where the same questions are asked to all participants, or in an unstructured way, where questions are tailored to each participant. The data gathered from these interviews can provide valuable insights into the research topic and help researchers develop a more nuanced understanding of the issue at hand. The second step—analysing standardised survey data—involves collecting data through surveys that have been standardized to ensure consistency and reliability. This can be done through online or in-person surveys. The data collected from these surveys can be analysed using statistical software to identify patterns, trends, and relationships between variables. Finally, we also teach researchers how to analyse data. This involves using software programs that can help with qualitative data analysis and statistical analysis. By utilising these tools, researchers can save time and resources while increasing the accuracy and reliability of their findings.