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Can We Generalize from Case Studies?

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  • Paul F. Steinberg

Abstract

This article considers the role of generalization in comparative case studies, using as exemplars the contributions to this special issue on climate change politics. As a research practice, generalization is a logical argument for extending one’s claims beyond the data, positing a connection between events that were studied and those that were not. No methodological tradition is exempt from the requirement to demonstrate a compelling logic of generalization. The article presents a taxonomy of the logics of generalization underlying diverse research methodologies, which often go unstated and unexamined. I introduce the concept of resonance groups, which provide a causeway for cross-system generalization from single case studies. Overall the results suggest that in the comparative study of complex political systems, case study research is, ceteris paribus, on par with large-N research with respect to generalizability.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul F. Steinberg, 2015. "Can We Generalize from Case Studies?," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 15(3), pages 152-175, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:glenvp:v:15:y:2015:i:3:p:152-175
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    2. Aogán Delaney & Tom Evans & John McGreevy & Jordan Blekking & Tyler Schlachter & Kaisa Korhonen-Kurki & Peter A. Tamás & Todd A. Crane & Hallie Eakin & Wiebke Förch & Lindsey Jones & Donald R. Nelson , 2018. "Governance of food systems across scales in times of social-ecological change: a review of indicators," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 10(2), pages 287-310, April.
    3. Angel Hsu & Amy J. Weinfurter & Kaiyang Xu, 2017. "Aligning subnational climate actions for the new post-Paris climate regime," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 142(3), pages 419-432, June.
    4. Walters, G. & Baruah, M. & Karambiri, M. & Osei-Wusu Adjei, P. & Samb, C. & Barrow, E., 2021. "The power of choice: How institutional selection influences restoration success in Africa," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
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    6. Cashore, Benjamin & Nathan, Iben, 2020. "Can finance and market driven (FMD) interventions make “weak states” stronger? Lessons from the good governance norm complex in Cambodia," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    7. Barney, Keith, 2024. "Commercial timber plantations and community livelihoods: Insights from comparative case studies in southern Laos," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Generalizations; Research; Methods; climate change politics;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C1 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General
    • Q0 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General

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