Social Inquiry and Bayesian Inference: Rethinking Qualitative Research

Fairfield and Charman's book provides a modern, rigorous, and intuitive methodology for case-study research, helping social scientists and analysts make better inferences from qualitative evidence. It covers constructing rival hypotheses, assessing evidence, counteracting biases, selecting cases, and iterating between theory development, data collection, and analysis. Extensive worked examples apply Bayesian guidelines, showcasing intuitive Bayesian reasoning and departures from Bayesian principles in published case studies. The book aims to revalue qualitative research and place it on equal footing with quantitative and experimental traditions by illustrating that Bayesianism provides a universally applicable inferential framework.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Fairfield and Charman present a contemporary, rigorous, and user-friendly approach to case-study research, aimed at assisting social scientists and analysts in drawing more meaningful inferences from qualitative evidence. The book offers concrete guidelines for conducting inference to the best explanation given incomplete information, without requiring prior exposure to Bayesian analysis or specialized mathematical skills. The topics covered include constructing rival hypotheses that strike a balance between simplicity and complexity, assessing the inferential weight of evidence, mitigating cognitive biases, selecting cases, and iterating between theory development, data collection, and analysis. Extensive worked examples demonstrate the application of Bayesian guidelines, showcasing both exemplars of intuitive Bayesian reasoning and instances where published case studies deviate from Bayesian principles, drawn from process-tracing, comparative, and multimethod research.

Beyond enhancing inference and analytical transparency, this book serves as a means to revalue qualitative research and establish it on a more equal footing with quantitative and experimental traditions. By illustrating that Bayesianism offers a universally applicable inferential framework, the authors aim to demonstrate the broader applicability and significance of qualitative methods in social science inquiry.

Overall, Fairfield and Charman's book provides a valuable resource for researchers seeking to employ Bayesian inference in case-study research, offering a comprehensive and accessible guide to this methodology while promoting the revaluation of qualitative research and its integration into the broader scientific discourse.

Weight: 1170g
Dimension: 169 x 245 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108433358