Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences
- ISBN-10
- 0262262894
- ISBN-13
- 9780262262897
- Category
- Political Science
- Pages
- 352
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2005-04-15
- Publisher
- MIT Press
- Authors
- Andrew Bennett, Alexander L. George
Description
The use of case studies to build and test theories in political science and the other social sciences has increased in recent years. Many scholars have argued that the social sciences rely too heavily on quantitative research and formal models and have attempted to develop and refine rigorous methods for using case studies. This text presents a comprehensive analysis of research methods using case studies and examines the place of case studies in social science methodology. It argues that case studies, statistical methods, and formal models are complementary rather than competitive. The book explains how to design case study research that will produce results useful to policymakers and emphasizes the importance of developing policy-relevant theories. It offers three major contributions to case study methodology: an emphasis on the importance of within-case analysis, a detailed discussion of process tracing, and development of the concept of typological theories. Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences will be particularly useful to graduate students and scholars in social science methodology and the philosophy of science, as well as to those designing new research projects, and will contribute greatly to the broader debate about scientific methods.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
Case Study Method: Key Issues, Key Texts
By Peter Foster, Roger Gomm, Martyn HammersleyThis is the most comprehensive guide to the current uses and importance of case study methods in social research.
-
Case Studies for Student Development Theory: Advancing Social Justice and Inclusion in Higher Education
By Jason C. Garvey, Jessica C. Harris, Darris R. MeansAn essential text for every student development course, Case Studies for Student Development Theory enhances student learning and development in higher education while also addressing how students’ social identities intersect with college ...
-
Handbook of Computational Social Science, Volume 1: Theory, Case Studies and Ethics
By Uwe Engel, Anabel Quan-Haase, Sunny Xun LiuThe Handbook is divided into two volumes written by outstanding, internationally renowned scholars in the field. This first volume focuses on the scope of computational social science, ethics, and case studies.
-
Interdisciplinary Research: Case Studies from Health and Social Science
By Frank Kessel, Patricia Rosenfield Carnegie Corporation of New York, Norman Anderson American Psychological AssociationSince that lies beyond the scope of this preface, and as a form of continuity with the first edition, we primarily speak here of ''interdisciplinary research.'' (See Kessel and Rosenfield, 2007.) iii. ''The problematics of the problem ...
-
Encyclopedia of Case Study Research
By Albert J. Mills, Gabrielle Durepos, Elden WiebeThese two volumes focus on the distinctive characteristics of case study research and its place within and alongside other research methodologies.
-
Qualitative Research and Theory Development: Mystery as Method
By Mats Alvesson, Dan Karreman20; see also Richardson, 2000). This may say more about the established standards for presentation in journals – despite decades of positivism-critique – and less about how researchers actually work. Arguably, breakdowns and projects ...
-
The Case Study as Research Method
By Yves-Chantal GagnonThe main advantages of case research are that it can produce an in-depth analysis of phenomena in context, support the development of historical perspectives and guarantee high internal validity, which is to say that the observed phenomena ...
-
The SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations
By Luigi Curini, Robert FranzeseThe SAGE Handbook of Research Methods in Political Science and International Relations offers a comprehensive overview of research processes in social science — from the ideation and design of research projects, through the construction ...
-
Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices
By Anol Bhattacherjee"This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines.
-
The Case for Case Studies: Methods and Applications in International Development
By Michael Woolcock, Jennifer Widner, Daniel Ortega NietoThis book seeks to narrow two gaps: first, between the widespread use of case studies and their frequently 'loose' methodological moorings; and second, between the scholarly community advancing methodological frontiers in case study ...