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Description
The module aims to give students a broad understanding of the use of comparison for social and political research and of how the comparative method differs from other approaches in the social sciences. The module will also give grounding in how comparative methods can and should be practically applied in the social sciences. The module is run in a workshop format and involves both discussion of example texts and issues as well as presentations of key ideas.
The specific topics covered are: the relationship of comparative techniques to area studies; how comparison can generate understanding; how to select cases; the use (and abuse) of concepts in comparative analysis; the role of case study techniques for comparison; the problem of identifying cause and effect; the strengths and weaknesses of 鈥榲ariable-oriented鈥� large scale quantitative comparison and smaller scale 鈥榗ase-oriented鈥� comparisons; and 鈥榗onfigurative comparison鈥� including an introduction to Charles Ragin鈥檚 QCA technique.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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