Methodologies for studying think tanks

webinar series

Marcos Gonzalez HernandoPhD Candidate

Department of Sociology, University of Cambridge

mjg221@cam.ac.uk

How to study themA. Institutional diversity and variety of business

models – Return to the problem of definition

B. Instability and heteronomy – Capacity to change

C. Dimensions – Elite actors, experts, lobbyists, etc.

D. Outputs – policy reports, parliamentary interventions, indicators, blogs, media appearances, etc.

Diachronic Case Study Methodology

• Give up representativity for depth

• Comparative method – in this case, sharing the same context

• Sensitivity to dynamic processes.

• Possibility of using different sources of data

• Risk: Overlooking networks

Unit of analysis• Focus on interventions: Policy reports (funder, policy area

and research method).

• Coding and data analysis: Policy recommendation, style and tropes – I use grounded theory, but not the only option.

• Possibility of using more methods – e.g. content analysis, visual methods.

• Or sources – e.g. Charity Commission reports, press coverage, books, blog posts.

• Risk: Overlooking internal heterogeneity – Distinguishing ‘core’ and ‘dependent’ interventions.

Elite Interviews

• ‘Bridging gaps’ between interventions

• Expert interviewing methods: Specificity of sampling, preparation, practicalities.

• Narrative approach: Moments and changes

• Possible pitfalls: Access, self-presentation

Advantages and Shortcomings

• Depth of results / Specificity of findings

• Dynamic perspective / Ex-post facto

• Multi-dimensional / Biases?

What does it ultimately provide? A narrative of narratives