Week 1
Lecture 1: Research proposal
Chapter 1: Introduction 1400 – 1800 words
Chapter 2: Methodology 200 words
References
Week 2
Plagiarism
Build on the work of others while writing a thesis.
Increase quality
Increase credibility
Increase relevance
What can be cited?
Findings
Discussion
Conclusions
Only in rare cases the theory section.
Note! If paper A describe something in paper B. you have to read paper B first and conclude
something to both papers.
Citing vs quoting
Citing:
Summarize
Paraphrase
Own words
Quoting:
Exact copy
Quotation signs
Cursive
Page number
Self-plagiarism
Own assignment
Team assignment
Own earlier thesis
Note! Self-plagiarism is the same crime of normal plagiarism.
Tips
Never copy pieces of text without quoting.
Summarize in you native language.
Always go to the source.
Literature search process
1. Identify some keywords
, 2. Choose a database(s) for literature search
Like; Google scholar, web of science, EBSCOhost, Business source complete, ProQuest
Business Collection, Scopus.
Tip! Choose the one that allow you to use Boolean operators and perform snowballing
techniques.
3. Apply Boolean operators to search the literature
It can help you to Narrow, excluded or grown in your search results.
4. Apply snowballing to identify more relevant articles
Involves using the reference list of a paper or the citation to the paper to identify additional
papers .
Backward snowballing; From the start set, the researcher works backwards to find
the articles cited in the references and extract relevant and seminal articles for
further review
Forward snowballing; the researcher then works forwards to search for any articles
that have cited the start set and extract relevant articles for further review.
5. Start by reading articles published on good journals.
Sources of literature
Why does the quality of journal articles/ papers matter?
Novelty; Entail more creative and new ideas (e.g., theoretical contributions)
Robustness; Adopt robust methodologies in data collection and analysis.
Credibility; More trustworthy and reliable findings in general.
Rating a journal:
Step 1: Peer reviewed papers
Quality control of the most knowledgeable expert
Step 2: The quality of a journal
Focus on the journal impact factor.
Step 3: Citations of a paper and from the author
Look for the quantity.
, Week 3
How to read and analyze a paper
Step 1: read the title and focus on the structure
Step 2: Read the intro
Step 3: Read the conclusion
3 main types of academic papers
Empirical paper
Research based on observation and measurement of phenomena
Literature paper
Provides a synthesis of a literature and identifies flaws, biases, gaps in the literature and suggest
future research directions
o Introduction
o Methodology
o Analysis
o Synthesis/ emerging research themes.
Conceptual paper
In limited journal outlets. They have no clear conventional structure. Normally produces an
integrative models, matrix, framework and/or a series of testable propositions.
Seeks to bridge existing theories in interesting ways links works across disciplines.
Two reading style: Passive reading and active reading
passive reading
Reading without any visible external action
Main goal: does this paper warrant futher attention
Active reading
Core message
Main goal: did it make it case? Was there anything that was left behind.
, Construct clarity by Suddaby
Construct; A conceptual abstraction of phenomena that cannot be directly observed. Like firm
performance, supplier involvement.
What elements determine whether a construct is clear?
Definitions
What is this construct defined?
Scope conditions
What circumstances will (will not) this construct apply?
Relationships between constructs
How is this construct related to other related constructs?
Coherence
All previous three elements should hang together in a logically consistent manner.
Why is construct clarity important?
Facilitates communication
o Idea exchange
o Knowledge accumulation
Assists empirical analysis
o More accurate operationization/measurement
o Improved research validity
Enhances creativity
o Better synthesis of existing knowledge
o Identification of multiple perspectives
What is theory
Theories serve as analytical tool/lenses help describe and analyze spefic phenomena,
enabling researchers to explain or understand particular subjects.
Different theories have distinct focuses.
7 structural elements for categorizing theory types
1. Purpose; What is it for?
2. Phenomenon; How is the focal phenomenon constructed?
3. Conceptual order; What central features does it entail?
4. Intellectual insights; What new insights does it offer beyond common sense or established
truth and/or expectations
5. Relevance criteria; How well does it serve its intended purpose (whether scientific or
practical).
6. Empirical support; What is real world evidence?
7. Boundary conditions; Under what circumstances does it apply?
Lecture 1: Research proposal
Chapter 1: Introduction 1400 – 1800 words
Chapter 2: Methodology 200 words
References
Week 2
Plagiarism
Build on the work of others while writing a thesis.
Increase quality
Increase credibility
Increase relevance
What can be cited?
Findings
Discussion
Conclusions
Only in rare cases the theory section.
Note! If paper A describe something in paper B. you have to read paper B first and conclude
something to both papers.
Citing vs quoting
Citing:
Summarize
Paraphrase
Own words
Quoting:
Exact copy
Quotation signs
Cursive
Page number
Self-plagiarism
Own assignment
Team assignment
Own earlier thesis
Note! Self-plagiarism is the same crime of normal plagiarism.
Tips
Never copy pieces of text without quoting.
Summarize in you native language.
Always go to the source.
Literature search process
1. Identify some keywords
, 2. Choose a database(s) for literature search
Like; Google scholar, web of science, EBSCOhost, Business source complete, ProQuest
Business Collection, Scopus.
Tip! Choose the one that allow you to use Boolean operators and perform snowballing
techniques.
3. Apply Boolean operators to search the literature
It can help you to Narrow, excluded or grown in your search results.
4. Apply snowballing to identify more relevant articles
Involves using the reference list of a paper or the citation to the paper to identify additional
papers .
Backward snowballing; From the start set, the researcher works backwards to find
the articles cited in the references and extract relevant and seminal articles for
further review
Forward snowballing; the researcher then works forwards to search for any articles
that have cited the start set and extract relevant articles for further review.
5. Start by reading articles published on good journals.
Sources of literature
Why does the quality of journal articles/ papers matter?
Novelty; Entail more creative and new ideas (e.g., theoretical contributions)
Robustness; Adopt robust methodologies in data collection and analysis.
Credibility; More trustworthy and reliable findings in general.
Rating a journal:
Step 1: Peer reviewed papers
Quality control of the most knowledgeable expert
Step 2: The quality of a journal
Focus on the journal impact factor.
Step 3: Citations of a paper and from the author
Look for the quantity.
, Week 3
How to read and analyze a paper
Step 1: read the title and focus on the structure
Step 2: Read the intro
Step 3: Read the conclusion
3 main types of academic papers
Empirical paper
Research based on observation and measurement of phenomena
Literature paper
Provides a synthesis of a literature and identifies flaws, biases, gaps in the literature and suggest
future research directions
o Introduction
o Methodology
o Analysis
o Synthesis/ emerging research themes.
Conceptual paper
In limited journal outlets. They have no clear conventional structure. Normally produces an
integrative models, matrix, framework and/or a series of testable propositions.
Seeks to bridge existing theories in interesting ways links works across disciplines.
Two reading style: Passive reading and active reading
passive reading
Reading without any visible external action
Main goal: does this paper warrant futher attention
Active reading
Core message
Main goal: did it make it case? Was there anything that was left behind.
, Construct clarity by Suddaby
Construct; A conceptual abstraction of phenomena that cannot be directly observed. Like firm
performance, supplier involvement.
What elements determine whether a construct is clear?
Definitions
What is this construct defined?
Scope conditions
What circumstances will (will not) this construct apply?
Relationships between constructs
How is this construct related to other related constructs?
Coherence
All previous three elements should hang together in a logically consistent manner.
Why is construct clarity important?
Facilitates communication
o Idea exchange
o Knowledge accumulation
Assists empirical analysis
o More accurate operationization/measurement
o Improved research validity
Enhances creativity
o Better synthesis of existing knowledge
o Identification of multiple perspectives
What is theory
Theories serve as analytical tool/lenses help describe and analyze spefic phenomena,
enabling researchers to explain or understand particular subjects.
Different theories have distinct focuses.
7 structural elements for categorizing theory types
1. Purpose; What is it for?
2. Phenomenon; How is the focal phenomenon constructed?
3. Conceptual order; What central features does it entail?
4. Intellectual insights; What new insights does it offer beyond common sense or established
truth and/or expectations
5. Relevance criteria; How well does it serve its intended purpose (whether scientific or
practical).
6. Empirical support; What is real world evidence?
7. Boundary conditions; Under what circumstances does it apply?
