Mixed Methods In Comparative Politics

Features

Description

This book exemplifies how distinct methods and epistemological persuasions in the social sciences can be meaningfully integrated and applied in a large international research project. The procedures are outlined step by step and enable readers to understand and apply these themselves. Important differences between common statistical procedures and recent developments in comparative research based on set theory and Boolean algebra for research situations with a limited number of cases (small N) become apparent.

This is usually the case in Comparative Politics at the national level, for exampleA comparing developments and policies within the European Union or other world regions, but also at a sub-national or local level. Various patterns and historical 'paths' can be demonstrated in this way. The substantive example chosen, the political consequences of the Great Depression in Europe in the 1930s, has important repercussions for the current world economic and financial crisis as well.

Review: 'A central issue in the social sciences today is how to combine different analytic methods and accomplish effective multi-method research. In Mixed Methods in Comparative Research, Dirk Berg-Schlosser provides an exemplary demonstration of mixed methods research focused on a specific substantive question-the survival/breakdown of democracy in inter-war Europe.

He shows how to establish a rich dialogue between within-case analysis and configurational cross-case analysis, providing an important methodological template for future research.' Charles Ragin, Chancellor's Professor, University of California, Irvine 'Building on his large experience as a first rate comparativist, Dirk Berg-Schlosser provides a coherent, systematic account of challenges and problems anyone conducting comparative research has to cope with.

For research based on small and medium numbers of cases, such as studies on democracy and democratization, public policies or similar topics Berg-Schlosser provides a compulsory reading for students and scholars. Their work will be substantially improved by reading this well written and neatly argued book.' Leonardo Morlino, LUISS Rome 'I have a Wahlverwandtschaft with Berg-Schlosser because I share with him the openness to different theoretical approaches - which some may define as eclecticism - and his strong commitment to empirical testing: the confrontation of theories with the facts.

The broader array of methodological tools he is ready to use reflects a generational change.' Juan Linz, Yale University