Studying Causal Mechanisms Using In-Depth Case Studies (QMMR F)
Half Day Short Course
1:30pm – 5:30pm
How do we move beyond one-line causal claims and uncover how political and social processes unfold in real-world contexts? This short course focuses on the power of in-depth case studies to explore causal mechanisms, also known as causal processes, with rigor and clarity. Designed for scholars interested in process-focused research, this session introduces theoretical and practical tools for constructing, identifying, and evaluating causal mechanisms within individual cases and across them.
The course begins by defining what constitutes a strong processual explanation, drawing inspiration from the mechanistic turn in disciplines such as medicine, policy evaluation, and policy studies. Participants will learn how to use a language of actors, activities, and linkages to build richer causal theories that unpack how and under what conditions change happens. This approach avoids the pitfalls of overly simplified causal narratives and enables more precise empirical testing.
In subsequent sessions, participants will examine standards for evaluating processual evidence and explore how to generalize from individual case studies without losing sight of complexity. The course concludes with a discussion of how process-focused case study work can complement experimental designs—both in shaping better research questions and interpreting experimental results.
Instructor Bio:
Derek Beach is Professor of Political Science at Aarhus University and co-author of Process-Tracing Methods: Foundations and Guidelines (2019, 2nd ed.). A leading expert in case study methodology, Beach has trained scholars worldwide through workshops, doctoral programs, and as an academic fellow with the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group. He is also an academic coordinator of the Methods Excellence Network (MethodsNet).