Problem Formulation (Doctoral Course, 7.5 ECTS)

The overall aim of this course is to enable doctoral students to formulate well-motivated research problems and research questions within their field of interest.

Course start: January 28, 2026
 

Syllabus Problem Formulation with Schedule, spring 2026 pdf, 100.7 kB. (100 Kb)  

Aim and course content

The overall aim of this course is to enable doctoral students to formulate well-motivated research problems and research questions within their fields of interest. The course covers discussions on scientific perspectives and how these relate to problem formulation. The course therefore aims to increase students’ understanding of how the problem formulation process may differ across various disciplines. Furthermore, the course focuses on the purpose of problem formulation, how research problems may be formulated, and how the doctoral student can apply these skills in the formulation of their own research problems.

The course consists of the following main components:

• Review of scientific perspectives and different approaches to problem formulations
• Analyses of problem formulations in previous research within various disciplines 
• Formulation of own research problem, research questions, and contributions  

Course structure and learning activities 

The course is structured as a combination of lectures, seminar discussions, individual and group exercises, student presentations, and written assignments. The language of instruction and examination is English.

Before the first course meeting, each participant should deliver a short thesis idea paper (approx. 1,000 words) outlining the main research topic/idea/context of the dissertation (or article). Year of enrollment in the PhD program should also be indicated. The course mainly targets first (and second) year doctoral students, but senior doctoral students are also welcome.

Schedule

The course starts with the first series of lectures in January. It includes 5 Lectures (all at Stockholm Business School) and 3 seminars (all via Zoom). Depending on the composition of the class/student seminar 2-3 might be run in split parallel format lead by each teacher where different students will be allocated based on their discipline. 

Syllabus Problem Formulation with Schedule, spring 2026 pdf, 100.7 kB. (100 Kb)

Application

To apply for the course, send an email to the coordinator of the doctoral programme at Stockholm Business School, Stockholm University Helene Olofsson at helene.olofsson@sbs.su.se by December 1, 2025.

Course faculty

Andrea Lucarelli, Associate Professor, andrea.lucarelli@sbs.su.se
Sara Jonsson, Associate Professor, sara.jonsson@sbs.su.se