Multi-Method Research in the Social Sciences: A Review of Recent Frameworks and a Way Forward. Issue 1 (1st February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beach, Derek
• Is Part Of: Government and opposition. Volume 55:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2019-02-01
• Subjects: multi-method research, -- case-based, -- variance-based, -- causal mechanisms, -- counterfactuals; Political science -- Periodicals; 320.05
• DOI: 10.1017/gov.2018.53
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-257X

Abstract

Abstract: This article reviews recent attempts to develop multi-method social scientific frameworks. The article starts by discussing the ontological and epistemological foundations underlying case studies and variance-based approaches, differentiating approaches into bottom-up, case-based and top-down, variance-based approaches. Case-based approaches aim to learn how a causal process works within a case, whereas variance-based approaches assess mean causal effects across a set of cases. However, because of the different fundamental assumptions, it is very difficult for in-depth studies of individual cases to communicate meaningfully with claims about mean causal effects across a large set of cases. The conclusions discuss the broader challenges this distinction has for the study of comparative politics more broadly.