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Process-Tracing Methods: Foundations and Guidelines
Derek Beach and Rasmus Brun Pedersen
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.
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Cover
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Title Page
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Copyright Page
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Contents
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Acknowledgments
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Chapter 1. What Is Process-Tracing?
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Chapter 2. What Are We Tracing?
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Chapter 3. Theorizing Concepts and Causal Mechanisms
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Chapter 4. Case Selection and Nesting of Process-Tracing Case Studies
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Chapter 5. Making Inferences Using Mechanistic Evidence
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Chapter 6. Linking Propositions with Empirical Material—Finding and Evaluating Evidence
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Chapter 7. Evaluating the Overall Probative Value of Mechanistic Evidence
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Chapter 8. Theory-Testing Process-Tracing
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Chapter 9. Theory-Building Process-Tracing
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Chapter 10. Explaining-Outcome Process-Tracing
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Appendix
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Footnotes
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References
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Index
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Published: 2019
Publisher: University of Michigan Press
- 978-0-472-03735-3 (paper)
- 978-0-472-13123-5 (hardcover)
- 978-0-472-12478-7 (ebook)