Post on 07-Apr-2018
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 1/15
Week 2 Writing a Case Study:
Method
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 2/15
Introduction:
Pasolini: Need to demystify “the innocenceof technique’
Technique (or: ‘form’/’method’) is itself a
vital component of ‘content’ : Blood Diamond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtwgU-LjkTI
Slacker http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJZOCc3amc
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 3/15
So…Some General Points about
Method
1. Method is not objective/innocent
2. Method is political
3. Method is essential: transparency,accessibility, and self-critique
4. Method is diverse and eclectic
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 4/15
I. What is Method?
The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of our researchendeavor
What should a case study methodologyinclude?
1. Research Question2. Case Selection3. Data Collection4. Data Analysis5. Ethical Issues6. Other Obstacles
Examples: Previous IR3021 Essay; My
DPhil section on method
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 5/15
II. Research Questions
Refer to previous lecture notes(Week 1)
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 6/15
III. Case Selection
What is a case?
Positivism: cases help us togeneralize
Form: Single case study andcomparative case studies
SelectionBias and justification
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 7/15
IV Data Collection
Different types of data (refer to ourdiscussion of sources in Week 1)
1. Identify sources used
2. Justify use of those sources
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 8/15
V. Data Analysis
There are different methods of data analysis (and, therefore, of ‘conflict’ analysis):
1. Quantitative Analysis & Formal Modeling
2. Ethnography (Participant Observation, Thick
Description, Understanding)3. Case Study Analysis (Within-case analysis andcross-case comparison; Process Tracing;Counterfactual Reasoning)
4. Discourse Analysis (Deconstruction,Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, ConversationAnalysis, Discursive Approaches, Identification of Interpretive Repertoires)
5. Immanent Critique (see Week 3, Devetak on
Critical Theory)
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 9/15
1. Quantitative/Formal Models
Statistical Methods
Formal Models
Problems
- Emphasis on Variables and Causality:interconnectedness, isolation
- Accuracy Issues (surveys, proxies)
- Emphasis on Falsification- Emphasis on Validity
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 10/15
2. Ethnography
Discussion of Geertz
Thin description versus thick description
Analysis is interpretation
Characteristics
- interpretive
- emphasis on social discourse
- making that discourse readable
- microscopic
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 11/15
3. Case Study Method
Key Components/Potentialapproaches of within-case analysis
- Clearly identify object of inquiry
- Process Tracing
- Political process and context areemphasized
- Counterfactual analysis- Comparisons are structured andfocused
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 12/15
4. Discourse Analysis
What is discourse?
What is discourse analysis?
Does discourse matter?
How do I perform a discourse analysis?1. Verification
2. Reflexivity
3. Articulate interpretiverepertoires/discourse
E.g., Dunn, Imagining the Congo
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 13/15
5. Immanent Critique
See Devetak reading, ‘CriticalTheory’, Week 3
See Week 9 readings
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 14/15
VI. Methodological Problems
Objectivity/Bias
Reflexivity/Positionality
Follow-Through Clarity
8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/ir3021-week-2-2010-writing-a-case-study-method 15/15
VII. Other Considerations
Originality
Literature Review
Conflict background vs. Context Transparency
Ethics