Doing Comparative Case Studies: New Designs and Directions

This book build on Vavrus and Bartlett's existing, field-defining work in the comparative case study approach (CCS). CCS provides a guide for scholars to balance conflicting expectations and requirements from case study data.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 226 pages
Publication date: 07 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Comparative Case Studies: New Designs and Directions is a groundbreaking book that extends the comparative case study methodology established by Bartlett and Vavrus and widely employed in various social research fields, particularly in education. This comprehensive volume brings together a diverse and international group of education scholars whose work showcases the strengths and limitations of the comparative case study approach and provides fresh theoretical and empirical directions for researchers. Spanning 11 engaging chapters, experts in comparative education, early childhood education, peace education, refugee education, special education, and teacher education delve into their utilization of the comparative case study approach to generate novel ways of knowing and address the complexities of multi-scalar and multi-sited research.

The book begins with a section titled Conceptualizing Cases and Case Selection, where the importance of carefully selecting cases at different stages of research is emphasized. The authors stress the need for ongoing reflection on how these choices shape the findings. The second section, Balancing Specificity and Generalizability, addresses the challenge of achieving a balance between the desire for rich, detailed data and the inclusion of multiple sites. The authors demonstrate how the comparative case study approach aligns well with qualitative research that unfolds over time and space.

The third section, Enabling Processual Analysis across Sites and Scales, showcases the suitability of the comparative case study approach for analyzing complex phenomena across different sites and scales. The fourth section, Addressing the Transversal Axis, highlights research that strongly emphasizes temporal dimensions. The final section, New Directions, presents inspiring and innovative methods for conducting comparative case studies.

Throughout the book, rich methodological examples and thought-provoking discussion questions are provided, making it an invaluable resource for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in education and research design courses, as well as scholars and policymakers interested in designing studies of complex phenomena. Comparative Case Studies: New Designs and Directions contributes significantly to the field of education research by offering a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the comparative case study approach.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032106885