uib.no UNIVERSITETET I BERGEN Studying moving targets: Using multiple case studies in comparative politics Ragnhild L. Muriaas (Ph.D) Department of Comparative Politics Legg inn «Avdeling / enhet» på hver side: 1 Gå til menyen «Sett inn» 2 Velg: Dato og klokkeslett 3 Skriv navn på avdeling eller enhet i feltet «Bunntekst» 4 Velg «Bruk på alle"

uib.no Comparing interpretations What are the added challenges of studying more than one case in an explorative analysis? Several researchers interested in understanding ongoing political processes through out the world. The Arabic Spring LGTB Rights Introduction of Local Elections in Africa Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no When is it fruitful to explore more than one contexts? Moses and Knutsen (2007) Challenge the insufficiency of existing concepts and theories (example Reno 1999, LeBas 2011). Expose the need for local agency (example Chabal 2009). Disclose false perceptions of the Other (example Prunier 2008). Other Explore subjects that few have had the opportunity to study earlier (Resnick 2010) Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no My concern: Guidelines are lacking for researchers who see it fruitful to explore in more detail a global phenomenon that we know little about in more than one context. Comparative methods (various versions of Mills methods). Causal explanations. (Not really into data collection) Or Single Case Studies. (Extensive literature on data collection.) Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no The aim of this paper Focusing on practical advices – less ambitious when it comes to situating itself within methodological debates. Practical guide for novices. Explore 5 dilemmas. Based on a case study of studying local election campaigns in three countries (Malawi, South Africa and Uganda) that had recognised traditional institutions and recently embarked on the process of democratic decentralization Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no Dilemma 1: Studying moving targets The definition of a case study is that one studies a contemporary phenomenon in its real life context. The advantage of this is of course that one can use methods, such as observation, to see what is going on. The disadvantage is that the context might change dramatically while you are in the field. MUST BE FLEXIBLE Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no Dilemma 2: Snorkeling or Diving? Approach to the cases: Treat each case as a single case study, or 2) Structured design, all cases studied by help of the same tools and questions. 3) A combination of the above Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no Dilemma 3: Allow for constant learning in the field? New insights open the eyes for new questions and relevant informants. If research design open, this affects your study as the questions you ask in the last case, may have different nuances than the ones you asked in the first. The sequencing of the cases affects your findings: Both what you see and what you dont see Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no Dilemma 4: It takes time to build trust The multiple case investigator's investments in identity are spread thinner than single-case researcher's. => When field time is split into more cases, one might invest less, and gets less in return – in the understanding and control of subject-participants effects Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no Ways to develop the paper Less personal narrative Introduce other researchers experiences Focus on discussing practices, not the theory of methods… Department of Comparative Politics

uib.no Department of Comparative Politics