PhD course: sos8002 Qualitative analysis and theory development with emphasis on Stepwise-Deductive Induction (SDI)
The course invites participants to a thorough understanding and application of thematic analysis by a stepwise-deductive inductive approach, as well as the use of HyperRESEARCH software for coding, code-grouping, and reporting. Processes of theorizing is emphasized and explored through concepts such as emergence, empirical-analytical reference points (EAR), and abduction.
The course draws attention to both theoretical/principal considerations of SDI and its basis in Grounded Theory, and the practical application of SDI on the participants own empirical projects.
When: February 9th-11th 2026
Where: OsloMet, Pilestredet 46, Oslo. Room P46-PA311.
Application deadline: February 1st 2026
Registration: https://www.ntnu.edu/studies/researchcourses
Language: : English or Norwegian (depending on participants)
Credits: 10.0 SP (rewarded from NTNU)
Course leaders: Aksel Tjora, Professor of Sociology, NTNU and Gunhild Tøndel, Associate Professor of Sociology, NTNU
Please note: This course is offered by DIGIT's partners at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim but will take place at OsloMet in Oslo.
Photo: The Climate Reality Project at Unsplash
About registration
Candidates from NTNU register through Studentweb. The course code is SOS8002. External applicants who do not have a study right at NTNU, need to apply for admission through NTNU’s Søknadsweb. You can find more information here: Research courses for external candidates - NTNU. Application deadline: February 1 2026.
Course description
The course invites participants to a thorough understanding and application of thematic analysis by a stepwise-deductive inductive approach, as well as the use of HyperRESEARCH software for coding, code-grouping, and reporting. Processes of theorizing is emphasized and explored through concepts such as emergence, empirical-analytical reference points (EAR), and abduction. The course draws attention to both theoretical/principal considerations of SDI and its basis in Grounded Theory, and the practical application of SDI on the participants own empirical projects.
Learning outcomes and competence
Understanding of thematic analysis in general, and the transparency of SDI, application of SDI on the participant’s own empirical material, use of HyperRESEARCH software for coding, code-grouping and reporting, the construction of analysis sections, and concept development and theorization. Practical applications of valid and reliable analysis strategies are emphasized.
Work-Life Relevance
Both in academic and non-academic work, competence on empirical analysis that is effective, reliable and transparent is sought after and necessary. Participants are not only rewarded “study points” on a generic qualitative research course, but practical competence in working safely and from unstructured qualitative empirical data towards empirically grounded and secured conceptual analysis, which escapes the (relevant) anecdotal critique of qualitative research.
Preparation
Participants are expected to be in a stage of their PhD in which they have empirical material from interviews, observation, and/or documents. Participants are expected to have (or before the course, get) a licensed version of HyperRESEARCH software for qualitative analysis. In cases where candidates do not have their own empirical material, they are expected to collaborate on other participants’ material.
Candidate are expected to give a short presentation of one of the articles listed
Examination
Paper on 7-8000 words, which either uses an SDI-based analysis strategy on the candidate’s own material (research paper) or a discussion of the SDI method as opposed to other established qualitative analysis methods (theoretical/methodological paper) submitted at latest April 30rd 2026.
Programme
Feb. 9th
10.00 Welcome
Participant presentations, including outline of projects
11.00 The concept of SDI, its background, connection to qualitative research in general, and application.
Examples with emphasis on research on digitalization and digital life
12.00 Lunch
13.00 Coding – principles of empirically-close coding
14.00 Code grouping – principles and practice
15.00 Using HyperRESEARCH - introduction
16.00 End of seminar (time for individual work)
19.00 Dinner (Place TBA)
Feb. 10th
09.00 Exercise on HyperRESEARCH (HR), groupwork using participants’ own transcripts.
12.00 Lunch
13.00 Summing up group work
14.00 Discussion: The impact and challenges of technologically based analysis
15.00 Emergence, abduction, EAR-points, theorizing
16.00 End of seminar (time for individual work)
19.00 Dinner (place TBA)
Feb. 11th
10.00 Individual discussions on submitted papers, potentially edited on basis on previous lectures
12.00 Lunch
13.00 Discussion: Emergence and abduction in relation to participants’ projects
14.00 Round table final reflection: relevance of SDI, ways forward in projects, course paper suggestions
and further publication ideas in relation to SDI
15.00 End
Readings
ARTICLES
Clark, T. (2024). From Interpretation to Interruption: Embracing disruptive analysis. Qualitative Research, 1-12.
Hammersley, M. (1995). Theory and evidence in qualitative research. Quality and Quantity, 29(1), 55-66.
Kenny, M., & Fourie, R. (2015) Contrasting classic, Straussian, and constructivist grounded theory: Methodological and philosophical conflicts. The Qualitative Report, 20(8), 1270- 1289.
Krause, M. (2016) The meanings of theorizing, The British Journal of Sociology, 67(1): 23-29.
Roulston, K. (2001). Data analysis and ‘theorizing as ideology’. Qualitative Research, 1(3), 279-302.
Schutz, A. (1953) Concept and Theory Formation in the Social Sciences, Paper presented at the 33rd Semi-Annual Meeting of the Conference on Methods in Philosophy and the Sciences, New York, May 3,1953.
Swedberg, R. (2016) Before theory comes theorizing or how to make social science more interesting, The British Journal of Sociology, 67(1): 5-22.
Swedberg, R. (2023) Two Ways of Looking at Theory, Exemplified by The Dynamics of Bureaucracy by Peter M. Blau, Journal of Organizational Sociology, 1(2): 223–249.
Timmermans, S. and Tavory, I. (2012) Theory Construction in Qualitative Research: From Grounded Theory to Abductive Analysis, Sociological Theory, 30(3) 167 –186
BOOKS (Norwegian and English options)
Tjora, A. (2024) Viten skapt: Kvalitativ analyse og teoretisering ved stegvis-deduktiv induksjonikling [Insight created: Qualitative analysis and theorizing by stepwise- deductive induction]. 2. utgave. Cappelen Damm Akademisk.
Tjora, A. (2026) Kvalitative forskningsmetoder i praksis. 5. utgave. Gyldendal Akademisk.
Tjora, A. (2019) Qualitative Research as Stepwise-Deductive Induction. Routledge.
Financial support
For DIGIT participants residing outside Oslo, DIGIT will cover expenses related to travel and accommodation (up to 2800 NOK). Once your place in the course is confirmed, contact us for more details.
Course leader - Aksel Tjora
Aksel Tjora is educated within computer science, management and sociology, and has been Professor of Sociology since 1998. His research is concentrated on social interaction and societal development, as well as development of Stepwise-Deductive Induction as strategy within qualitative research. Tjora is CEO of the independent enterprise the Sociology Clinic, which develops "sociological services" in collaboration with businesses outside academia. He is also an active voice in public debate.
Photo: NTNU
Course leader - Gunhild Tøndel
Gunhild Tøndel is an Associate Professor of General Sociology at the Department of Sociology and Political Science, NTNU. Her research is at the thematic intersection of welfare, technology, and knowledge production, focusing particularly on issues related to digitalization, governance and organization, aging, and life within health and care services. She has taught a variety of sociological topics at all academic levels, including qualitative methods, project design, sociological theory, health sociology, and microsociology.
Photo: NTNU
Please feel free to contact the DIGIT coordinator should you have any practical questions.
Contact Mona Fjellvær at NTNU for questions about admission.
For questions related to the course content, please contact Aksel Tjora.