230044 UE B7 From Case to Structure - Case Studies and Comparative Methodology in Empirical Social Research (2024W)

In the course of the qualitative turn in empirical social research, systematic case studies became the focus of methodological discussions (Ragin, 2014; Ragin and Becker, 2009; Gomm et al., 2000). They represented an alternative and/or supplement to survey research based on statistically representative samples. It had to be clarified how generalizable knowledge can be generated from case studies, for which Mitchell further developed the concept of analytical induction, which goes back to Znaniecki. Generalization, it turned out, must be made on the basis of comparative research, which made a multiple case study design necessary (Abbot, 2009). In addition, Charles Ragin further developed the case study approach on the basis of Boolean algebra in order to better justify the basic logical structure of the comparative procedure. In this course, the methodological and methodological foundations of these approaches to empirical social research will be developed on the basis of systematic case studies and practiced on empirical material.

Aims
- Acquire an understanding of the methodological foundations of qualitative social research
- Develop, implement and evaluate comparative case studies

Methods
- Practical exercises based on sample material in the seminar
- Discussion of basic texts