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Case Selection via Matching

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  • Richard A. Nielsen

Abstract

This article shows how statistical matching methods can be used to select “most similar†cases for qualitative analysis. I first offer a methodological justification for research designs based on selecting most similar cases. I then discuss the applicability of existing matching methods to the task of selecting most similar cases and propose adaptations to meet the unique requirements of qualitative analysis. Through several applications, I show that matching methods have advantages over traditional selection in “most similar†case designs: They ensure that most similar cases are in fact most similar; they make scope conditions, assumptions, and measurement explicit; and they make case selection transparent and replicable.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard A. Nielsen, 2016. "Case Selection via Matching," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 45(3), pages 569-597, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:45:y:2016:i:3:p:569-597
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124114547054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Dunning,Thad, 2012. "Natural Experiments in the Social Sciences," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107017665, November.
    4. Collier, David & Brady, Henry E. & Seawright, Jason, 2010. "Outdated Views of Qualitative Methods: Time to Move On," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(4), pages 506-513.
    5. Sekhon, Jasjeet S. & Titiunik, Rocã O, 2012. "When Natural Experiments Are Neither Natural nor Experiments," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 106(1), pages 35-57, February.
    6. Alexis Diamond & Jasjeet S. Sekhon, 2013. "Genetic Matching for Estimating Causal Effects: A General Multivariate Matching Method for Achieving Balance in Observational Studies," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 95(3), pages 932-945, July.
    7. Dunning,Thad, 2012. "Natural Experiments in the Social Sciences," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9781107698000, November.
    8. Iacus, Stefano M. & King, Gary & Porro, Giuseppe, 2012. "Causal Inference without Balance Checking: Coarsened Exact Matching," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(1), pages 1-24, January.
    9. Gerring, John, 2004. "What Is a Case Study and What Is It Good for?," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 98(2), pages 341-354, May.
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