Master Class: Process Tracing Within Small-N Studies and Multi-Method Designs

5-6 December 2024

Elisa Volpi, UNIGE

Prof. Joachim Blatter (University of Lucerne)

The course aims to provide methodological and practical guidance for students who want to apply process tracing techniques within their case studies. In consequence, it starts with an overview of different case study designs, and compares (causal) process tracing (CPT) with cross-case comparative methods (which we call co-variational analysis, COV) and methods that are based on a systematic comparison of empirical data with two (or more) comprehensive theories (which we call congruence analysis, CON). Process-Tracing can be applied as a distinct research design (CPT), or some of its techniques can be included in COV or CON designs. 

In addition to clarifying the different understandings and uses of Process Tracing within small-N studies, we turn toward the use of Process Tracing Designs and Techniques within a Multi-Method Research Design. Here, we focus on how to justify the selection of cases for Process Tracing after a Large-N (statistical) or a Medium-N (QCA) study.

The main part of the course, though, is dedicated to presenting and discussing the PhD projects of the participants. The goal is to help the students with their individual and specific problems within their projects. In consequence, participants are expected to send (to the instructor and a commentator among the participants) an exposé of their research project with a focus on the applied/envisioned methods (about 10-15 pages) on Sunday, 17^th of November (deadline).

Thursday, 5 December

13.00-13.30

Introduction and Overview

13:30-16.30 (with short breaks)

Case Study Designs and Methods:

Comparative Case Studies (Co-variational Analysis)

Causal Process Tracing

Congruence Analysis

17.00-18.00

Linking Process Tracing (Case Study Methods) and Statistical Analysis/QCA

Friday, 6 December

09.00-12.30

Student presentations, feedback, and discussion

Lunch break

13:30-16.30

Student presentations, feedback, and discussion

16:45-17.00

Wrap-Up, Course Feedback

Genève

Requirements:

1. Reading Text Book before the session (see below)

2. Presenting PhD project (with a focus on methods)

3. Commenting a PhD project from another participant

More specific information on the expected exposé and presentation will be provided later on for those students who enrolled in the course.

Reading requirements:

Blatter, Joachim & Haverland, Markus (2012/2014): Designing Case Studies: Explanatory Approaches in Small-N Research. Palgrave. Hardcover published in 2012; slightly modified paperback edition published in 2014.

For those who are able to read German, it is advisable to read the following book, since it is more recent and contains some adjustments that we made after having used the Blatter/Haverland textbook in class:

Blatter, Joachim; Langer, Phil & Wagemann, Claudius (2017): Qualitative Methoden in der Politikwissenschaft. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag.

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