Using case studies to develop theoretical arguments

the recent debate on comparative historicalresearch

Abstract

The article presents a review of the methodological debate on comparative historical research in political science. It discusses the critique of case study methods traditionally employed by historical institutionalists, concerning the lack of validity of causal inferences and issues of selection bias. The article presents, on the other hand, the strategies advocated by researchers within this methodological tradition as a means of increasing the explanatory power of small N comparisons and case studies. In particular, it discusses the application of techniques of “process-tracing” in the generation and testing of theoretical arguments based on case study research.