Process-Tracing Methods: Foundations and Guidelines
Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2nd ed. (2019), x, 318 pp.
Contains illustrationsbibliogr. pp. 295-311, index
ISBN 978-0-472-03735-3 (pbk); 978-0-472-12478-7 (ebook)
"Process-tracing in social science is a method for studying causal mechanisms linking causes with outcomes. This enables the researcher to make strong inferences about how a cause (or set of causes) contributes to producing an outcome. In this extensively revised and updated edition, Derek Beach and Rasmus Brun Pedersen introduce a refined definition of process-tracing, differentiating it into four distinct variants and explaining the applications and limitations of each. The authors develop the underlying logic of process-tracing, including how one should understand causal mechanisms and how Bayesian logic enables strong within-case inferences. They provide instructions for identifying the variant of process-tracing most appropriate for the research question at hand and a set of guidelines for each stage of the research process." (Publisher description)
1 What is process-tracing? 1
2 What are we tracing? 29
3 Theorizing concepts and causal mechanisms, 53
4 Case selection and nesting of process-tracing case studies, 89
5 Making inferences using mechanistic evidence, 155
6 Linking propositions with empirical material - finding and evaluating evidence, 195
7 Evaluating the overall probative value of mechanistic evidence, 223
8 Theory-testing process-tracing, 245
9 Theory-building process-tracing, 269
10 Explaining-outcome process-tracing, 281
2 What are we tracing? 29
3 Theorizing concepts and causal mechanisms, 53
4 Case selection and nesting of process-tracing case studies, 89
5 Making inferences using mechanistic evidence, 155
6 Linking propositions with empirical material - finding and evaluating evidence, 195
7 Evaluating the overall probative value of mechanistic evidence, 223
8 Theory-testing process-tracing, 245
9 Theory-building process-tracing, 269
10 Explaining-outcome process-tracing, 281
