Research Design Case Selection & Sampling PADMN 6289// WEEK 5

Sample strategy 03 Case selection 02 Empirical context 01 This Videocast

RQ The Research Design Concept identification Definitions and measurement Data collection Data analysis Findings Conclusions The Research Process Epistemic approach Literature review

The Research Design Concept identification Definitions and measurement Data collection Data analysis The Research Process Being intentional, purposeful, and strategic in selecting the real- world focus of research and sources of data Empirical Context, case(s), and/or sample

Empirical Context 01

Empirical Context Aka “research topic or subject” The real-world subject matter upon which research focuses; the empirical context may be defined on the basis of many dimensions, including those which are geographic, temporal, historical, cultural, social, political, or functional in nature (and beyond).

The extent to which a particular empirical topic present especially promising opportunities for theoretical insights When there are compelling reasons for conducting the research in a given context, such as a lack of necessary/needed relevant information, research support, etc. Theoretical Considerations Substantive Considerations Ease of access to empirical contexts (associated cases and/or samples) Practical Considerations Choosing an Empirical Context

Case Selection 02

Case Selection The process of choosing the single or limited set of entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) for examination in research. …or… The process of choosing the limited set of entities/events/organizations/etc. to include in research within which samples may reside.

It is true that purposive methods cannot entirely overcome the inherent unreliability of generalizing from small-N samples, but they can nonetheless make an important contribution to the inferential process by enabling researchers to choose the most appropriate cases for a given research strategy, which may be either quantitative or qualitative. —Seawright & Gerring

Sample Strategy 03

Sample Strategy The method by which a researcher selects the entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) from the broader population to measure or otherwise take evidence from.

Purpose Examples Random Maximum generalizability to population Simple random; Systematic random; Stratified random Purposive (non-random) When researchers want to study a particular subset of cases (individuals, entities, events, etc.) Quota sample; Key informants; Gerring’s case selection techniques Convenience When practical considerations are the driving priority Social media; Established relationships (friends, work, etc) Snowball Access a “hidden” or opaque population Professional or social relationship networks Sample Strategies

Sampling across Different Research Designs Most Relevant Epistemic Approaches Single or multiple data types? Quant or qual? Preferred Sampling Strategy Large-n (>100) descriptive or associational studies Empiricism/Positivism Usually single Quant Random Medium-n (30-100) descriptive or associational studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Usually single Quant or Qual Random or purposive Small-n (<30) descriptive or explanatory studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Critical Single or multiple Quant or Qual Random or purposive Mixed-methods descriptive or explanatory studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Critical Multiple Quant and qual Purposive Case studies Empiricism/Positivism Interpretivism Critical Multiple Quant and/or qual Purposive

Systematic error (i.e. skew) in study data and findings as the result of meaningful differences between those who participate in a study and those who do not. Nonresponse bias

Sample Strategy The method by which a researcher selects the entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) from the broader population to measure or otherwise take evidence from. Case Selection The process of choosing the limited set of entities/events/organizations/etc. to include in research within which samples may reside. Empirical Context The real-world subject matter upon which research focuses; the empirical context may be defined on the basis of many dimensions, including those which are geographic, temporal, historical, cultural, social, political, or functional in nature (and beyond).

Sample Case(s) The limited set of entities/events/organizations/etc. to include in research within which samples may reside. Empirical Context The real-world subject matter upon which research focuses; the empirical context may be defined on the basis of many dimensions, including those which are geographic, temporal, historical, cultural, social, political, or functional in nature (and beyond). The entities (or events, individuals, organizations, etc) selected from the broader population to measure or otherwise take evidence from.

Research Design Case Selection & Sampling PADMN 6289// WEEK 5

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/1 0.1080/10841806.2020.1814080