Quali-Research - Qualitative Methods and Research Design

I EDITION | ON SITE | APPLICATION

Deadline for Registration 
September 7th, 2026

Period
26th - 30th October, 2026

Learning objectives

The Seasonal School Qualitative Methods and Research Design in the Social Sciences aims to provide participants with advanced methodological training in qualitative research, with a specific focus on inductive and abductive approaches to theory building. The School is designed to address the growing demand among PhD students and early-career researchers for rigorous methodological competences in the design, execution, and publication of qualitative research in the social sciences.

The Seasonal School focuses in particular on the development of research projects based on qualitative data, the formulation of research puzzles and qualitative research questions, and the construction of theoretical contributions from empirical evidence. Special emphasis is placed on the Gioia Methodology as a widely adopted template for inductive qualitative research, and on the use of qualitative methods in top-tier international journals.

In addition, the School addresses the challenges of transforming qualitative findings into publishable contributions, guiding participants through the main stages of the academic publishing process, including journal positioning, submission strategies, and interaction with reviewers. Attention is also given to the emerging role of generative artificial intelligence as a support tool for qualitative data coding and analysis, fostering a critical reflection on its opportunities and limitations.

Teaching methodologies

The Seasonal School adopts an interactive and practice-oriented teaching approach. Lectures are designed to actively engage participants and are constantly linked to empirical examples drawn from the international literature. The programme combines in-class lectures with guided exercises, hands-on coding activities, analysis of published qualitative articles, and group work.

Practical sessions enable participants to apply qualitative research tools and templates directly to empirical materials, while final group presentations facilitate peer discussion and collective learning.

Target participants

The Seasonal School is primarily addressed to PhD students.

Coordinator and key teaching staff

Coordinators: Dr. Gianluca Gionfriddo and Dr. Giovanni Tolin

Key teaching staff: Professor Andrea Piccaluga, Professor Alberto Di Minin

SDGs (https://sdgs.un.org/goals)

(4) Quality Education

(8) Decent Work and Economic Growth 

(9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure