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Razões emergentes para a validade dos estudos de caso na ciência política comparada

This paper discusses the theoretical foundations for using case studies in comparative political science. It makes the claim about the continuous demand for using case study research designs. This argument is built upon three major claims for validation of this approach: the equifinality; process-tracing, and the explanation by mechanisms. Based on these assumptions, a new generation of researchers in qualitative political science points out that case study methodology continues to be relevant for: enlarging the connection between theory and evidence; the development of explanations and causal inferences in comparative politics; and, for theory construction.

Comparative politics; methodology; research design; case study


Universidade de Brasília. Instituto de Ciência Política Instituto de Ciência Política, Universidade de Brasília, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro - Gleba A Asa Norte, 70904-970 Brasília - DF Brasil, Tel.: (55 61) 3107-0777 , Cel.: (55 61) 3107 0780 - Brasília - DF - Brazil
E-mail: rbcp@unb.br