Comparative Research Designs

The purpose of this course is to provide training on all aspects that enable a researcher to conceive and conduct the most appropriate comparative research design – the latter broadly defined as any research enterprise that comprises at least two „cases‟ or observations. On the one hand, the course will cover fundamental questions „upstream‟ of practical and hands-on choices: what is comparison? Why compare; what is the added value of comparison? What should be the „mindset‟ of a good comparative researcher? What is the link between a research puzzle and the choice for a comparative research design? What would be the alternative(s)? At which level(s) should the „cases‟ be envisaged? Etc. On the other hand, the practicalities of different types of comparative research designs will be examined in detail, by following all the hands-on steps: (1) prior arbitrations and „casing‟, i.e. the definition of the cases; (2) case selection, through more basic or more advanced strategies; (3) collecting and managing comparative data; (4) comparative data analysis. A short introductory module on QCA (as part of a comparative research design) is also provided. The course is lecture-based (no lab work) and will also allow ample time for questions/answers and open discussions.

Course leader

Benoît RIHOUX

Target group

advanced students and junior researchers in political science and adjacent disciplines

Course aim

as above