"Challenging all the preconceptions regarding one’s approach to research, this course is an exciting journey that every researcher should take. The course encouraged me, as a young researcher, to analyze my philosophical assumptions and ask critical questions that will be useful in forming my succeeding research choices. I believe conscious research design choices will result in high quality research. A heightened awareness regarding the possible application of the deductive approach, combined with a deeper insight in Grounded Theory will help to facilitate deliberate and utilitarian research design. The course’s combination of lectures, discussions, assignments and group presentations provided an active, effective and dynamic arena for learning. I see this course as a relevant element in my further development as a researcher."
- Clare Hildebrandt, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"The theory building Ph.D. course was an eye-opener. From day one, we had the opportunity to look at the research world from a new and intriguing perspective. The course was perfectly structured and administratively organized. The in-class open discussions about the essence of theory and different approaches, limitations, and benefits were very interesting. But the highlight of the course was its lecturers, Nik Dholakia, Andy Lowe, and Romeo Turcan, who shared their life long academic knowledge and experience with us. They were open to listen and to guide us through the different assignments, and give valuable feedback. The unique format of having three highly prestige lecturers presenting complementary views enriched and highlighted this very exciting topic. I would highly recommend this course for first-year Ph.D. students that want to have a broader view of research and how it is and should be done. It was an intensive week, and it was worth it."
- Daniel Berliner, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"I highly recommend this course for every PhD candidate. Especially during the first year. Not only do I now understand the importance of theory building, the difference between the philosophical approaches to theory building and the essence of having a voice as a researcher are now clearer to me. I must admit that the course was very intensive and involving, but albeit very worthwhile. The coding process and memo building with critical expert guide are activities you can never have the benefit of experiencing first-hand anywhere else. The course is very useful. You will never regret taking it!"
- Felicia Naatu, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"As part of my PhD, I have attended a Theory Building Research Programme (TBRD) PhD course facilitated by Prof. Romeo Turcan, Dr. Andy Lowe and Prof. Nikhelsh Dholakia. TBRP PhD course is the course that has turned my research sights from just focusing on qualitative approach and thinking of doing part of my PhD research papers in qualitative approach. The five days was well structured, and I acquired a very solid foundation on qualitative research. Though at first it brought confusion into my research project, but at the end I managed to come up with refined title for my project based on the knowledge I acquired. The triangle that compose any research project is very useful in defining the phenomenon that you are studying, under a specific context using a certain theory. I also acquired useful knowledge about how to allow things to emerge out of the field data. I can always recall how the “Emotional Timelining” popped up in my mind when working in one of the assignments in this course. It is among the best course I can recommend to any PhD student at the beginning of his/her studies. Keep the good job you are doing three of you!"
- Godsaviour Christopher, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"In my career life, I have not seen anybody who makes the mystery of research clear and obvious like Romeo Turcan. The theory-building course reveals everything researchers need to make strong beneficial and logical contributions to the body of knowledge. I wish this program to be the global movement that will bring new revolution in the world of research and academia. This program is a must for everyone who wants to discover and build his/her own voice in research. Taking this course has become one of my best decision in education and career."
- Isaya Raphael Mwanyamba, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"I must admit that I never knew the depth of qualitative research especially by using inductive approach until I was taken through your course. TBRP PhD course was fully packed and engaged, it has come as a revelation to me. I essentially got what I expected. It is my ambition that during my PhD to be equipped with bits from qualitative research and related research designs and analytical tools. Theory building being one of very potential part in whether research writing or paper publication, the course came at right time to me. There were a lot of confusion times, but towards the end of the course things were starting to connect to each other, bits were brought together. Data fracturing and coding (whether substantively or theoretically) was not a joke. But finally, I made it. The facilitation team (Andy, Romeo and Nik) was fantastic, I have gained a lot from you. You have nurtured my intellectual understanding."
- Jonathan M. P. Kansheba, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"I chose to attend theory building course because I had an idea of what I was doing but I didn’t know how to proceed with vast amount of data in my hands. The course was a clear path for me as it helped me on methodologies and technics from grounded theory. Also, in case I am stuck on something during the process I can refer to the articles and books provided during the course for reference. As a result of this course, I already started analyzing my data for my next article using grounded theory technics and tools."
- Judith Iddy, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"The in-depth knowledge I acquired during the Theory Building Research Programme PhD Course – which I am passionate to explore further – has been an “eye opener” to me on what it means to identify “your voice” in the academic world. Importantly, I have gotten to understand and appreciate the unique strengths and power of identifying one’s own voice and the benefits it offers to the research community, especially in building theories. The course equipped me with the skills of reading and evaluating management research and most importantly, confront the conundrum of epistemological circularity that – “one cannot have knowledge about knowledge without already deploying a priori knowledge”. Consequently, I am able to interrogate the overarching structures of thoughts/philosophical foundations of theories to identify where and when “my voice” would be of relevance to the academic world."
- Prince Baah-Peprah, Ph.D. candidate, University of Agder
"Thanks to all members of the faculty for an engaged and enthusiastic week. The course gave me valuable hands-on experience with the process of building emerging theoretical concepts from literature as well as from primary data."
- Ulrik B.U. Røhl, Ph.D. candidate, Aalborg University
"Theory building course was a very good course with excellent professors. It was very useful for me to understand what methodology and methods are and how they can be better used in the academic research. I learnt the knowledge and skills through both the excellent lectures as well as well-designed exercises, which were effective to turn complexity into clarity. In addition, I got personal advice on my own research and expanded my research network."
- Yanhong Xi, Ph.D. candidate, University of Oulu