3. Research designs II

Question 1

What are the 6 key elements of good qualitative research design

Answer 1

• Theory
• Level of analysis
• Type of data
• Case selection
• Causation
• Methods

Question 2

(reminder) What are perspectives towards causation

Answer 2

• Probabilistic view: increase in X USUALLY leads to increase in Y
• Deterministic view: X always leads to Y when present (necessary or sufficient conditions)
• Causal effects do not need to be correlational and may rely on necessary/ sufficient conditions

Question 3

What is a typical case study design?

Answer 3

Represents a common/ pathway case to general patterns
* Selects case that mirrors typical example of a cross-case relationship
* Objective= representativeness
* focus=** within-case level**, to identify, validate, or disconfirm causal mechanisms.

For small-N studies: case must display theoretically expected scores on both X (indpendent) and Y (dependent variable)
For Large- N studies: selection based on smallest residudal. (difference between predicted + actual values)

Question 4

What is a deviant case study design?

Answer 4

cases that deviate from theoretical expectations
* Selects an outlier case that deviates from cross-case relationship and is not representative of the sample.

• Goal is to explore** theoretical anomalies** + identify new or modified hypotheses
• useful for identifying factors that explain the case deviation + potentially building new hypotheses

Question 5

What are strategies (5) for case selection in single case study designs?

Answer 5

1.Extreme case
2.Deviant case
3.Influential case
4.Crucial case (most likely/ least likely)
5.Typical case

Question 6

What is a diverse case study design?

Answer 6

• Selects cases to maximize variance along relevant dimensions
  ( X, Y or X/Y relationship)
• involves selecting set of cases where each represents different values or conditions.
• Can be used for both explanatory and confirmatory research goals.

Question 7

What are the 3 methods in Comparative case study designs?

Answer 7

1. Most-Similar Case Design
   –> Mill’s method of difference
2. Most-Different Case Design
   –> Mills method of agreement
3. Diverse case study design

Question 8

Most-Similar Case Design
(Mill’s method of difference)

Answer 8

Compare cases that are similar except for one variable

( focus on differenting variable)

Question 9

Most-Different case Design
( Mills method of agreement)

Answer 9

Compare cases that differ widely but have the same outcome.

(focus on common variable)

Question 10

What are the key criteria for **causal inference **based on David Humes theory (4 total)

Answer 10

1. Temporal sequence: X comes before Y
2. Proximity: X and Y occur near each other in time and space
3. Constant coexistence: X and Y consistently appear together
4. Necessary connection: there is a meaningful connection between X and Y

Question 11

What is process tracing in reseach?

Answer 11

A method used for studying causal mechanisms in a single case design by detailing the steps or processes linking X to Y, going beyond merely identifying correlations.
-explor causal pathways linking X to Y

Question 12

What are the 3 variants of process tracing?

Answer 12

1. Theory-testing process tracing
   –> tests existing mechanisms
2. Theory- building process tracing
   –> develops new mechanisms from empirical evidence
3. Explaining- outcome process tracing (analytical narratives)
   –> explains unique outcomes

Question 13

What are the 4 key methodological assumptions of process tracing

Answer 13

1. Within-case logic of inference
2. focus on mechanistic relationship between X and Y.
3. Complex causation: involved many parts working together (metaphor of care engine)
4. **Context matters

Question 14

What is the difference between probabilistic and deterministic views of causation?

Answer 14

Probabilistic: an increase in X usually leads to an increase in Y
Deterministic: X always leads to Y when present, indicating necessary or sufficient conditions.

Question 15

What is a ** causal mechanism**? (!)

Answer 15

A complex system that produces an outcome through the interaction of various parts.

• Processes, entities + activities that explain how + why a particular outcome is produced in a specific context.
• Causal mechanisms operate at a within-case level and are more detailed than causal-effects.
• Refer to underlying step or interactions that connect cause to effect.
• They involve entities (actors, institutions) & activities (actions, decisions)

Question 16

What is causation in research? (!!!)

Answer 16

A type of co-variation wehre one phenomenon contributes to or produces another.

–> causation is at the core of explanatory research, but we cannot directly observe it, we must infer it from empirical data.

Question 17

What are the 4 perspectives towards inferring causation

Answer 17

1. Experimental logic: manipulation of a treatment to observe effects.
2. Frequentist logic : patterns of covariance, requires many cases
3. Comparativist logic: : controlled comparison of a small number of cases
4. Within-case logic : process tracing, focusing on one case where X and Y do not vary.

Question 18

What is the cross-case level in qualitative research?

Answer 18

The analytical level on which correlations or causal effects between a cause (X) and an outcome (Y) can be identified, studied using the comparative method.

Question 19

What are levels of analyis in Qualitative research?

Answer 19

• Cross-case level
• Within-case level

Question 20

What is the within-case level in qualitative research?

Answer 20

The analytical level on which causal mechanisms can be identified, connecting a cause (X) to an outcome (Y) through detailed tracing of a causal process by using process tracing methods.