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Aligning Interviewing with Process Tracing1

Author

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  • Ezequiel Gonzalez-Ocantos
  • Juan Masullo

Abstract

Interviews play a pivotal role in process tracing (PT) by allowing researchers to delve deep into the intricacies of agency, inter-agent interactions and relationships, and the processes underlying meaning and decision-making. These dimensions are essential for evaluating process theories connecting causes to outcomes in specific cases. Testing theoretical arguments via PT bears implications for how we conceive interviewing. We provide recommendations for scholars to design interview research aligned with PT best practices, focusing on sampling and the design of interview protocols, and being sensitive to differences between PT approaches. Aligning interviews with PT’s specific requirements strengthens the weight and inferential power of evidence. While the methodological foundations of PT and related data analysis techniques are well-documented in the literature, there is still a gap concerning data collection and generation. We aim to address this by encouraging process tracers to think systematically about their interviewing plans at the design stage.

Suggested Citation

  • Ezequiel Gonzalez-Ocantos & Juan Masullo, 2026. "Aligning Interviewing with Process Tracing1," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 55(1), pages 219-267, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:55:y:2026:i:1:p:219-267
    DOI: 10.1177/00491241241258229
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fairfield, Tasha & Charman, Andrew, 2017. "Explicit Bayesian analysis for process tracing: guidelines, opportunities, and caveats," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 69203, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Fairfield, Tasha & Charman, Andrew E., 2017. "Explicit Bayesian Analysis for Process Tracing: Guidelines, Opportunities, and Caveats," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 25(3), pages 363-380, July.
    3. Stinchcombe, Arthur L., 2005. "The Logic of Social Research," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226774916, August.
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