Бакалавриат 2024/2025

Метод Process-Tracing в политических исследованиях

Статус: Курс по выбору (Политология и мировая политика)

Направление: 41.03.04. Политология

Кто читает: Департамент политологии и международных отношений

Где читается: Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук

Когда читается: 3-й курс, 3 модуль

Формат изучения: без онлайн-курса

Охват аудитории: для своего кампуса

Преподаватели: Стремоухов Денис Александрович

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 3

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course familiarizes students with process tracing, the currently dominant method of single-N case study research. The course will start with placing the method of process tracing in the context of broader paradigmatic divisions within Political Science methodology, and then continue with discussing the princinples of research design involving process tracing, types of process tracing research, issues of data collection and presentation of the research findings. The special focus will be on exact techniques and tools used for hypothesis testing and on formal principles of evidence evaluation. The use of process tracing in applied policy research will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives

• To develop an understanding of core principles of process tracing and identify its applications in various research contexts
• To develop the skills of research design with the use of process tracing, including formulating a clear research question, selecting relevant evidence, systematically collecting data, and analyzing causal mechanisms

Expected Learning Outcomes

• understands the place of process tracing in a broader methodlogical context
• uses process tracing for academic and applied research purposes
• presents the results of process tracing research in a textual and visual form

Course Contents

• Epistemological foundations of process tracing research
• The basic logic of process tracing research
• Evaluating evidence and testing hypotheses
• Designing process tracing research
• Process tracing the effects of ideas
• Process tracing for Policy Analysis
• Reporting process tracing results

Assessment Elements

• In-class participation
  The instructor grades the participation in discussions during seminars, answers to instructor’s questions and overall involvement in the in-class activities and group work.
• Case study
  Students will received a set of case materials. The materials will include a research question, three alternative causal mechanisms and some (made-up) empirical evidence (interview quotes, document excerpts, media reports, statistical patterns, etc.) related to this question. The task will be to analyze the evidence and to evaluate the proposed causal mechanisms in its light. Students are expected to demonstrate the knowledge of evidence types, the notions of certainty and uniqueness and the ability to apply formal logical tests based on them. The final outcome of the exercise should be the judgement about the proposed causal mechanisms (which one is the most plausible, which one can be eliminated, etc.) Students will have 60 minutes to complete the task.
• Test
  The test will take place at the last seminar and will cover the material of the whole course. Students will have 60 minutes to complete the test. The test may feature different types of questions (multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-gaps and open-ended questions). The total sum of points will be converted into a grade according to the scale below.
• Research design (exam)
  The final exam is a design of a hypothetical or real research centered around process tracing. The research can be academic or policy-oriented. The described study can belong to any type of process tracing discussed in the course. Process tracing can be a standalone method or a part of the mixed-method design. The study should be feasible for students to conduct. The text volume should be 1000-1500 words (reference list excluded). In-text citations (Chicago or APA style) are required. The text should follow the following structure: short introduction that should include: the research question the justification of its academic relevance (references to the literature required!) [or policy relevance in the case of an applied study] the theory (in the form appropriate to the type of process tracing) the description of observable implications of the proposed causal mechanisms the description of data and data collection procedures

Interim Assessment

• 2024/2025 3rd module
  0.25 * Case study + 0.15 * In-class participation + 0.3 * Research design (exam) + 0.3 * Test

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Collier, D. (2011). Understanding Process Tracing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.B81C95DE
• Handbook of Research Methods and Applications in Political Science. (2016). Edward Elgar. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsnar&AN=edsnar.oai.research.vu.nl.publications.79adffd0.782e.411f.b258.53afc56be456

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• 6, P., & Bellamy, C. (2012). Principles of Methodology : Research Design in Social Science. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=595703
• Beach, D. V. (DE-588)1079073728, (DE-627)840192312, (DE-576)185046533, aut. (2019). Process-tracing methods foundations and guidelines Derek Beach and Rasmus Brun Pedersen.
• Halperin, S. (DE-588)171616154, (DE-627)061837849, (DE-576)177909633, aut. (2012). Political research methods and practical skills Sandra Halperin and Oliver Heath.
• James Mahoney. (2012). The Logic of Process Tracing Tests in the Social Sciences. Sociological Methods & Research, 4, 570.
• Leavy, P. (2017). Research Design : Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts-Based, and Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches. [N.p.]: The Guilford Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1497395

Authors

• STREMOUKHOV DENIS ALEKSANDROVICH