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Comparing, casing and generalizing in the social sciences: Traditional designs and innovative approaches (SPS-WS-CHE-DE-23)

SPS-WS-CHE-DE-23

Purpose

This workshop delves into one of the fundamental steps of knowledge production in the social sciences: research design. More specifically, it zooms in on, and proposes to collectively rethink, comparative research designs. While comparative research designs, particularly controlled comparisons, have consistently served as foundational pillars in political science, they are not always the optimal approach to understanding political processes and outcomes. Our idea for this workshop is to invite Erica Simmons, whose co-edited 2021 Cambridge volume, Re-thinking Comparison, will provide the foundation of the discussions we hope to bring forth. How, why, when and what should we compare? Could we do otherwise? In answering these questions, we will also be covering topics such as what constitutes a “case” and generalization, with a focus on qualitative and mixed-methods research. 
The workshop will take place over three days. The first two days will combine an introductory round table on comparisons, with more focused lectures and participatory sessions. The last day will consist of presentations from workshop participants. Our aim is to encourage reflection and learning across methodological or epistemological divides, and we therefore invite PhD researchers from all years and disciplinary backgrounds to attend and take part in the discussions.
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