Where should I apply? interested in computational methods for negotiations & strategy
Reply With QuoteMy first thought is that your research interests would fit well in management. Qualitative research is still a minority among published studies (although their numbers are rising in some journals), but many strategy researchers also publish in economics journals using complex quantitative analyses. The level of qualitative emphasis in a program will depend on how many faculty members are doing qualitative work (for whom you may work as an RA); some departments might not have anyone who has extensive qualitative experience. You may or may not be required to take a qualitative methods course depending on the program.
I don't know much about the specific approaches you're interested in, but I recommend you try to find some articles using these approaches in areas you find interesting in order to locate potential PIs. I would focus less on the specific field and more on specific researchers when choosing what programs to apply to. Keep in mind that faculty may change directions, so they may not be doing the same type of research that was published a few years ago. You should check their bios on the department website, look at their most recent work (which may technically be a few years old due to the publication process), and perhaps reach out to them directly to discuss their work. You may end up finding a good fit in a few of the fields you mentioned, perhaps applying to a few management, a few economics, and a few operations programs, provided they all have researchers doing work that is relevant to your interests.
In short: It is the program you're applying to that matters, not the field per se. You want to find programs where the faculty are doing work you find interesting and would like to pursue. You may need to take some courses that don't seem relevant for you at the time, but what is important is that the stats and methods courses and the expertise of the advisors will provide you with a solid foundation and resources to pursue your research goals.
