ir3021 week 2 2010 writing a case study method

8/4/2019 IR3021 Week 2 2010 Writing a Case Study Method

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Week 2 Writing a Case Study:

Method



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



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJZOCc3amc









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



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



II. Research Questions

Refer to previous lecture notes(Week 1)



III. Case Selection

What is a case?

Positivism: cases help us togeneralize

Form: Single case study andcomparative case studies

SelectionBias and justification



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



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)



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



2. Ethnography

Discussion of Geertz

Thin description versus thick description

Analysis is interpretation

Characteristics

- interpretive

- emphasis on social discourse

- making that discourse readable

- microscopic



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



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



5. Immanent Critique

See Devetak reading, ‘CriticalTheory’, Week 3

See Week 9 readings



VI. Methodological Problems

Objectivity/Bias

Reflexivity/Positionality

Follow-Through Clarity



VII. Other Considerations

Originality

Literature Review

Conflict background vs. Context Transparency

Ethics

ir3021 week 2 2010 writing a case study method

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