Data analysis The Research Process Being intentional, purposeful, and strategic in selecting the real- world focus of research and sources of data Empirical Context, case(s), and/or sample
matter upon which research focuses; the empirical context may be defined on the basis of many dimensions, including those which are geographic, temporal, historical, cultural, social, political, or functional in nature (and beyond).
promising opportunities for theoretical insights When there are compelling reasons for conducting the research in a given context, such as a lack of necessary/needed relevant information, research support, etc. Theoretical Considerations Substantive Considerations Ease of access to empirical contexts (associated cases and/or samples) Practical Considerations Choosing an Empirical Context
set of entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) for examination in research. …or… The process of choosing the limited set of entities/events/organizations/etc. to include in research within which samples may reside.
inherent unreliability of generalizing from small-N samples, but they can nonetheless make an important contribution to the inferential process by enabling researchers to choose the most appropriate cases for a given research strategy, which may be either quantitative or qualitative. —Seawright & Gerring
random; Stratified random Purposive (non-random) When researchers want to study a particular subset of cases (individuals, entities, events, etc.) Quota sample; Key informants; Gerring’s case selection techniques Convenience When practical considerations are the driving priority Social media; Established relationships (friends, work, etc) Snowball Access a “hidden” or opaque population Professional or social relationship networks Sample Strategies
or multiple data types? Quant or qual? Preferred Sampling Strategy Large-n (>100) descriptive or associational studies Empiricism/Positivism Usually single Quant Random Medium-n (30-100) descriptive or associational studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Usually single Quant or Qual Random or purposive Small-n (<30) descriptive or explanatory studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Critical Single or multiple Quant or Qual Random or purposive Mixed-methods descriptive or explanatory studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Critical Multiple Quant and qual Purposive Case studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Critical Multiple Quant and/or qual Purposive
entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) from the broader population to measure or otherwise take evidence from. Case Selection The process of choosing the limited set of entities/events/organizations/etc. to include in research within which samples may reside. Empirical Context The real-world subject matter upon which research focuses; the empirical context may be defined on the basis of many dimensions, including those which are geographic, temporal, historical, cultural, social, political, or functional in nature (and beyond).
research within which samples may reside. Empirical Context The real-world subject matter upon which research focuses; the empirical context may be defined on the basis of many dimensions, including those which are geographic, temporal, historical, cultural, social, political, or functional in nature (and beyond). The entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) selected from the broader population to measure or otherwise take evidence from.