Multiple-case Study Methods in Governance-related Research

Abstract

Relative to their single-case counterparts, multiple-case studies add observations for study, without taking the research design into more quantitative terrain. However, questions remain about the exact nature of the value that multi-case studies add to governance research. The present article addresses this gap by reviewing a sample of multiple-case study articles taken from leading public management journals and describing and classifying the approaches employed by researchers. It is argued that the ability of multiple-case study projects to convince us of their conclusions rests, to a degree not previously acknowledged, on the reliability of these studies.

Key words:

• Multiple-case studies
• research methods

Notes

Author's estimate, based on the pattern of publication in the period 2004–9 (inclusive) in the journals discussed below.

Ragin (1989) focuses on Boolean algebraic techniques for moving beyond holistic case studies in comparative work.

The six journals were Public Management Review, Public Administration Review, the International Journal of Public Sector Management, the Australian Journal of Public Administration, Public Administration and Governance.