6.1 Single case studies

Single case studies are a powerful research method in political science, focusing on in-depth analysis of a single unit. They offer rich, contextualized understanding of complex phenomena, serving purposes like theory testing, theory building, and anomalous case analysis.

These studies can be descriptive, exploratory, critical instance, deviant, or revelatory. While they provide depth and internal validity, they may lack breadth and external validity. Careful case selection and data collection strategies are crucial for maximizing the value of single case studies.

Definition of single case studies

• Single case studies focus on an in-depth examination of a single unit of analysis (individual, group, organization, event, or phenomenon)
• Involve a detailed and holistic exploration of the case within its real-world context
• Aim to provide a rich, contextualized understanding of the case and its complexities

Purposes of single case studies

• Single case studies serve various purposes in political research, including theory testing, theory building, anomalous case analysis, and longitudinal analysis
• Enable researchers to gain a deep understanding of a specific case and its unique features
• Can provide valuable insights into complex political phenomena and processes

Theory testing with single case studies

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• Single case studies can be used to test existing theories or hypotheses by examining a case that is particularly well-suited for this purpose
• Researchers can assess whether the case fits the predictions of the theory or deviates from them
• Examples: Testing theories of democratization using a case study of South Africa's transition from apartheid to democracy

Theory building with single case studies

• Single case studies can contribute to the development of new theories or the refinement of existing ones
• Researchers can use the case to identify new variables, relationships, or mechanisms that were previously overlooked
• Examples: Developing a theory of ethnic conflict based on a case study of the Rwandan genocide

Anomalous case analysis

• Single case studies can be used to investigate cases that do not fit existing theories or expectations
• Researchers can explore the unique features of the case to identify potential explanations for its deviation from the norm
• Examples: Analyzing the case of Costa Rica's long-standing democracy in a region characterized by political instability

Longitudinal analysis of single cases

• Single case studies can involve the examination of a case over an extended period to track changes and developments
• Researchers can identify patterns, trends, and turning points in the case's evolution
• Examples: Studying the impact of economic reforms on China's political system over several decades

Types of single case study designs

• Single case studies can be classified into different types based on their purpose, focus, and design
• Each type of case study has its own strengths and limitations and is suited for different research questions and contexts

Descriptive case studies

• Descriptive case studies aim to provide a detailed and comprehensive account of a case
• Focus on describing the key features, processes, and outcomes of the case without necessarily seeking to explain them
• Examples: A descriptive case study of the European Union's decision-making processes

Exploratory case studies

• Exploratory case studies are conducted when there is limited prior knowledge or theory about a case
• Aim to generate new insights, hypotheses, or research questions for further investigation
• Examples: An exploratory case study of the emergence of new social movements in the digital age

Critical instance case studies

• Critical instance case studies focus on a case that is particularly significant or influential in a given context
• Aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the case and its broader implications
• Examples: A critical instance case study of the Arab Spring and its impact on regional politics

Deviant case studies

• Deviant case studies focus on cases that deviate from the norm or do not fit existing theories or expectations
• Aim to identify the unique features or conditions that explain the case's deviation
• Examples: A deviant case study of Switzerland's direct democracy in a region characterized by representative democracies

Revelatory case studies

• Revelatory case studies focus on cases that provide unique or rare opportunities for observation and analysis
• Aim to shed light on phenomena or processes that are typically difficult to access or study
• Examples: A revelatory case study of decision-making processes within a secretive political organization

Advantages vs disadvantages of single case studies

• Single case studies have both strengths and limitations compared to other research designs
• Researchers need to carefully consider these trade-offs when deciding whether a single case study is appropriate for their research question and context

Depth vs breadth of analysis

• Single case studies allow for a deep and detailed examination of a case, providing a rich understanding of its complexities and nuances
• However, they may lack the breadth of analysis that can be achieved through comparative or large-N studies
• Researchers need to balance the need for depth with the desire for generalizability

Idiographic vs nomothetic approaches

• Single case studies often adopt an idiographic approach, focusing on the unique features and context of a specific case
• This approach can provide valuable insights into the case itself but may limit the ability to draw broader conclusions or develop general theories
• Nomothetic approaches, which seek to identify general patterns or laws, may be more difficult to achieve with single case studies

Internal vs external validity considerations

• Single case studies can have high internal validity, as researchers can closely examine the case and rule out alternative explanations
• However, they may have limited external validity, as the findings may not be generalizable to other cases or contexts
• Researchers need to be cautious about making broad claims based on a single case and should consider strategies for enhancing generalizability

Case selection strategies for single case studies

• Case selection is a critical step in designing a single case study, as it can significantly impact the validity and relevance of the findings
• Researchers can use various strategies to select a case that is well-suited for their research question and purpose

Typical case selection

• Typical case selection involves choosing a case that is representative of a broader population or phenomenon
• Aim to provide insights that can be generalized to other similar cases
• Examples: Selecting a typical European welfare state to study the impact of globalization on social policies

Diverse case selection

• Diverse case selection involves choosing a case that exhibits a wide range of variation in the variables or processes of interest
• Aim to capture the diversity and complexity of the phenomenon under study
• Examples: Selecting a diverse set of countries to study the relationship between economic development and democratization

Extreme case selection

• Extreme case selection involves choosing a case that exhibits an unusually high or low value on the variable of interest
• Aim to identify the conditions or mechanisms that produce such extreme outcomes
• Examples: Selecting a country with an exceptionally high level of income inequality to study the causes and consequences of inequality

Deviant case selection

• Deviant case selection involves choosing a case that deviates from the norm or does not fit existing theories or expectations
• Aim to identify the unique features or conditions that explain the case's deviation
• Examples: Selecting a country that has maintained peace despite having many risk factors for civil war

Critical case selection

• Critical case selection involves choosing a case that is particularly important or influential in a given context
• Aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the case and its broader implications
• Examples: Selecting a landmark court case that set a precedent for future legal decisions

Data collection in single case studies

• Data collection is a crucial step in conducting a single case study, as it provides the evidence needed to answer the research question and support the findings
• Researchers can use various data collection methods, including interviews, observations, and document analysis

Interviews in single case studies

• Interviews are a common data collection method in single case studies, as they allow researchers to gain insights into the perspectives and experiences of key actors
• Researchers can use structured, semi-structured, or unstructured interviews depending on the research question and context
• Examples: Conducting interviews with policymakers to understand the decision-making processes behind a specific policy reform

Observations in single case studies

• Observations involve the systematic recording of behaviors, events, or interactions related to the case under study
• Researchers can use participant observation (actively engaging in the case) or non-participant observation (observing from a distance)
• Examples: Observing the interactions between politicians and citizens during a public consultation process

Document analysis in single case studies

• Document analysis involves the systematic review and interpretation of written or visual materials related to the case under study
• Researchers can analyze a wide range of documents, including official reports, media articles, personal diaries, or social media posts
• Examples: Analyzing government reports to understand the rationale behind a specific policy decision

Data analysis techniques for single case studies

• Data analysis is the process of making sense of the data collected in a single case study and drawing meaningful conclusions
• Researchers can use various data analysis techniques, including within-case analysis, process tracing, pattern matching, and explanation building

Within-case analysis techniques

• Within-case analysis involves examining the data within a single case to identify patterns, themes, or relationships
• Researchers can use techniques such as coding, categorization, or narrative analysis to organize and interpret the data
• Examples: Coding interview transcripts to identify common themes in the responses of different participants

Process tracing in single case studies

• Process tracing involves the detailed examination of the causal mechanisms or processes that link the independent and dependent variables in a case
• Researchers can use process tracing to identify the specific steps or events that led to a particular outcome
• Examples: Tracing the decision-making process that led to the adoption of a specific policy reform

Pattern matching in single case studies

• Pattern matching involves comparing the observed patterns in the data with the predicted patterns based on existing theories or hypotheses
• Researchers can use pattern matching to assess the fit between the case and the theory and to identify any discrepancies or anomalies
• Examples: Comparing the observed patterns of democratic consolidation in a case with the predictions of existing theories of democratization

Explanation building in single case studies

• Explanation building involves the iterative process of developing and refining explanations for the observed patterns or outcomes in a case
• Researchers can use explanation building to generate new hypotheses or theories based on the case evidence
• Examples: Developing an explanation for the success or failure of a specific policy reform based on the case evidence

Generalizability of single case study findings

• Generalizability refers to the extent to which the findings of a single case study can be applied to other cases or contexts
• Single case studies often face challenges in terms of generalizability, as they focus on a specific case and may not be representative of a broader population

Analytic generalization vs statistical generalization

• Single case studies typically rely on analytic generalization, which involves generalizing the findings to a broader theory or conceptual framework
• This is in contrast to statistical generalization, which involves generalizing the findings to a broader population based on a representative sample
• Researchers need to be cautious about making broad claims based on a single case and should clearly specify the scope and limits of their generalizations

Strategies for enhancing generalizability

• Researchers can use various strategies to enhance the generalizability of single case study findings
• These include using theory to guide case selection and analysis, conducting multiple case studies, or combining case studies with other research methods
• Examples: Conducting a comparative case study of several countries to identify common patterns or mechanisms

Reporting single case study results

• Reporting the results of a single case study involves presenting the findings in a clear, coherent, and convincing manner
• Researchers need to balance the need for description and analysis and use appropriate narrative structures and visual displays

Narrative structure of single case reports

• Single case study reports often follow a narrative structure that tells the story of the case and its key events, actors, and outcomes
• Researchers can use chronological, thematic, or theory-driven narratives depending on the research question and purpose
• Examples: Using a chronological narrative to describe the evolution of a social movement over time

Visual displays in single case reports

• Visual displays, such as tables, graphs, or diagrams, can be used to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
• Researchers can use visual displays to summarize key findings, illustrate relationships between variables, or compare the case with other cases or theories
• Examples: Using a flow chart to illustrate the causal mechanisms identified through process tracing

Balancing description and analysis

• Single case study reports need to strike a balance between providing a rich description of the case and offering a critical analysis of its implications
• Researchers should avoid getting lost in the details of the case and ensure that the analysis is clearly linked to the research question and broader theoretical or practical concerns
• Examples: Providing a detailed description of a policy reform process while also analyzing its implications for democratic accountability