Qualitative Analysis: The Theory and Practice of Abductive Methods
This course in qualitative research helps you understand and develop the skills needed to carry out an abductive analysis. By first introducing a variety of social and cultural theories, and then gaining practical experience in interpretative abductive analysis, the candidates will be able to use their own data to nurture theory formation.
The course is accredited as part of the PhD program Health and Welfare.
- Campus
- Elverum
- Duration
- One semester
- Structure
- Gatherings
- Credits
- 10
- Teaching language
- NO + ENG
- Startup
- January
- Application deadline
- Dec. 1, 2025
About the Programme
This social science course introduces abductive analysis as a means to theorize in qualitative research. To carry out this form of analysis, in-depth knowledge of a broad range of theories is important. As a skill, abductive analysis rests on the ability to challenge existing theories and combine them in new ways to better account for empirical complexity. This close connection between thorough data processing and a solid understanding of multiple theoretical perspectives is central. The goal is to creatively illuminate data from various theoretical standpoints and then use these data to challenge scientific and non-scientific truths. The aim of the lectures and practical work in this course is to improve the participants’ competence and skills in this area.
Therefore, this class emphasises the importance of a clear author voice that reveals and embraces empirical complexity. Through in-depth knowledge and creative use of a broad range of social science theories, the researcher is better equipped to see which data deviate from or require further development of existing theories.
Curricula and courses
The course is part of the Ph.D. program in Health and Welfare and can be taken independently of the Ph.D. program. In the curriculum, you will find more information on learning objectives and the assessment method.
Participation and attendance
During the first week of sessions, emphasis is placed on interpretation and how theoretical diversity facilitates surprising empirical findings. After this week, candidates are expected to identify surprising data in their own projects and to start explaining these data in light of various social and cultural theories.
During the second week of sessions, candidates are guided in systematic and creative interpretation. Thorough analytic work like familiarization and defamiliarization with data, highlighting variation, as well as various coding methods and memo writing is central in this work. The aim is to cultivate creativity, surprises and the development of existing theories.
The subject combines lectures, seminars, practical analysis, presentations, and preparations. Candidates are encouraged to base their work on their own research projects and analyse their own data. The course concludes with an individual home examination structured as a scientific essay. The essay is based on analyses of the candidates’ own data. This analysis has been started during the class and the essay will develops it through an abductive analysis.
Teaching plan 2026:
- January 19 – 22
- February 9 – 12
Mandatory Requirements.
In all courses, there are mandatory requirements that must be approved before you can take the exam. Therefore, it is important that you read the course description carefully before the course starts. Attendance of 80% is required on teaching days. The attendance requirement applies regardless of the reason for absence.
Application deadline and admission
Admission requirements:
Applicants must have a MA-degree (120 ECTS) or being registered as a PhD-student.
The course has limited intake capasity, and priority will be given to PhD candidates who follow an individual education plan where this particular course is included.
Application deadline: December 1, 2025
How much does it cost?
Tuition fee (not applicable for PhD candidates):
For other participants mentioned above the tuition fee is NOK 3000,-
