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The Case Study Approach

The Case Study Approach. By, Mark T raina. A Brief Case Review. First reading: “Case-Oriented Comparative Methods” All case studies are designed to uncover a relationship or patterns of invariance. The case-approach method is not hindered by the frequency distribution of types of cases.

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The Case Study Approach

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  1. The Case Study Approach By, Mark Traina

  2. A Brief Case Review • First reading: “Case-Oriented Comparative Methods” • All case studies are designed to uncover a relationship or patterns of invariance. • The case-approach method is not hindered by the frequency distribution of types of cases. • Case-oriented methods compel the investigator to view their cases as whole entities. • Case-oriented methods facilitate dialogue between ideas and evidence.

  3. Mill’s Method of Agreement • It is a search for patterns of invariance • Argues that if two or more instances of a phenomenon have only one of several possible causal circumstances in common, then the common circumstance in which all the instances agree is the cause of the phenomenon of interest.

  4. Application • Peasant Revolts • Possible Causes • Land hunger • Rapid commercialization • Strong middle peasantry • Peasant traditionalism • If all four causes exist in the first case examined, the investigator must research other instances of peasant revolt in order to eliminate any of the variables. • Thus, the Method of Agreement dictates that the investigator eliminate possible causes to find the real one. • Limits • The method revolves around the number of causes that the investigator can garner. • Leaves little room for oversight. • Seems very likely to lead to faulty empirical generalizations.

  5. Mill’s Indirect Method of Difference • Double application of the Method of Agreement. • Analyzes the occurrence of a cause and then a case with the absence of that cause to reinforce the point.

  6. Application PresencePeasant RevoltsAbsence Presence Land Hunger Absence Thus, if land hunger is present/present in two different cases and in turn absent/absent in two more cases, then land hunger is the cause of peasant revolts.

  7. Limits • Not a statistical study • Cannot be used if negative cases are ill-defined. • Can be too simplistic • Incapable of handling multiple or conjunctural causation.

  8. Comparative Method in Comparative Politics • It is first and foremost a “method” • More specifically basic scientific method • Experimental • Statistical • Case study methods • Goal to establish general empirical propositions • It is not a method of measurement • Meant to facilitate the minds of a “conscious thinker” • Temperature without thermometer.

  9. Many Variables, Small N • Most of the time if the option is available choose the statistical method • If the luxuries are present comparative method may be more helpful. • The exaggerated discouragement as a result of negative cases

  10. Minimizing the Overarching Problem • Increase the number of cases as much as possible • Reduce the “property-space” of the analysis • Focus the comparative analysis on “comparable” cases • Focus the comparative method on the “key” variables.

  11. Six Types of Case Studies • Atheoretical • Interpretive • Hypothesis-generating • Theory-confirming • Theory-infirming • Deviant

  12. The Uses of Comparative History in Macrosocial Inquiry • “Discusses the uses in macrosocial research of comparisons across historical trajectories, and the ways in which such uses influence research designs and the presentation of arguments in scholarly publications” • AKA…

  13. Three Distinctions • Macro-causal analysis • “In the effort to understand the history of a specific country a comparative perspective can lead to asking very useful and sometimes new questions” ~ Barrington Moore • I.E. Moore’s Social Origins • Parallel demonstrations of theory • Asserts a similarity among the cases despite the varying time frames. • I.E. Eisenstadt’s The Political Systems of Empires • Contrasts of context • Opposite of parallel demonstrations comparison • I.E. Geertz’s Islam Observed • Just because there are three distinct fields, a combination of two or all three is perfectly legitimate and considerably common in comparative historical research.

  14. Discussion Questions • The problem of many political scientists is their research lacks a truly scientific feel, does the case-study approach appeal to the scientist aspect of our field? • Do you think it’s better to study a small number of cases and try to make the best use of all variables or better to study as many cases as possible (large N)? • What would be a good example of a case study if we were to compare one aspect of economic development in Latin America and one in East Asia?

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