What is the New Doctoral Workshop Series?

Registration

CARMA’s New Doctoral Student Workshop Series is designed specifically for early-stage PhD students who want to build a strong foundation in research methods while connecting with a supportive community of peers and mentors. Through live, interactive sessions led by experienced scholars, you’ll gain essential insights into the research process, learn strategies for managing your dissertation, and explore tools to strengthen your academic success. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of methodology or simply figure out where to begin, this series offers the guidance and encouragement you need—right when you need it most.

CARMA Institutional Membership or Affiliate Membership is required for registration.

To register:

  • Log in to your CARMA User Account
    • If you do not have an existing account, create one here
  • From the User Area, click the Register/Purchase tab
  • Select New Doctoral Student Workshop Series
  • Click Continue
  • Proceed to Checkout (the event is free, but ‘checkout’ is required to complete the registration process)

Once registered, access to the live online events will be available in the Access Live Events tab of your CARMA User Area.

New Doctoral Student Workshop Series Schedule

Monday, August 18: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Welcome to Academia

This session provides a realistic preview of what to expect as you join the academic profession—from your first seminar to your first conference—as well as how the dissertation and publication process typically unfold. We’ll also introduce you to critical methodological resources, such as CARMA, ORM, and RMNET, among others, that will support your growth. Think of this session as your academic orientation and motivational kickoff.

Monday, August 18: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Ethics, Open Science, and Scientific Integrity

Navigating ethical dilemmas and transparency expectations is increasingly complex in today’s research landscape. This session will introduce key principles underlying open science, responsible authorship, and data integrity. We’ll highlight both emerging best practices and enduring values that support credible, replicable science. Whether you’re pre-registering a study or conducting a peer review, these concepts are foundational to a trustworthy research career.

Tuesday, August 19: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Connecting Theory to Methods

Theory isn’t just a starting point to conducting research—it’s the backbone of it. This session explores how theoretical frameworks shape sampling, measurement, analysis, and interpretation. We’ll emphasize the reciprocal relationship between theory and method, helping you understand how methodological decisions influence theory testing and development. Ideal for researchers in both micro and macro domains.

Tuesday, August 19: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Measurement: From Scales to Sources

Good measurement is the foundation of good science. This session offers an overview of key considerations in measurement, including scale development, psychometric validation, data source selection, and common challenges like common method variance. A dual focus will introduce both micro-oriented approaches (e.g., surveys, panels) and macro perspectives (e.g., proxies, archival indicators). You’ll leave better equipped to select, refine, and defend your measures.

Wednesday, August 20: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Research Design and Causal Inference

This session dives into the logic and structure of causal claims in organizational research. It is always better to design around than analyze through, so with this mantra, we’ll cover core design types—including experiments, natural experiments, and quasi-experimental designs—as well as strategies for addressing endogeneity and confounds. If you’ve ever asked, “Can I really say this caused that?”—this session is for you.

Wednesday, August 20: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET

Literature Reviews, Meta-Analyses, and the Accumulation of Knowledge

Understanding and contributing to cumulative science requires more than just citing prior work. This session covers the logic, design, and execution of literature reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. We’ll discuss how each approach helps synthesize knowledge, identify gaps, and offer new directions. Participants will gain clarity on when and how to undertake these methods to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Thursday, August 21: 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET

Qualitative Methods: Assumptions, Approaches, and Applications

This session introduces qualitative research not just as a method, but as a different way of knowing. We’ll discuss when qualitative approaches are appropriate, key design and epistemological considerations, and the distinction between informants and participants. Whether you’re conducting interviews, case studies, or ethnography, this session will help you appreciate the rigor and richness of qualitative inquiry.

Thursday, August 21: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM ET

AI and the Future of Organizational Research

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we generate, analyze, and interpret data in the organizational sciences. This session offers a grounded overview of emerging AI tools and applications in research design, measurement, and writing. We’ll also critically examine the promises and pitfalls of AI in academic work. Whether you’re curious or skeptical, this session will prepare you to engage thoughtfully with this evolving frontier.