Case studies are for intensive testing and theory development, not extensive testing

Case Study Research is a landmark book. This culmination of years of careful thought by John Gerring is by far the best dissection of case studies in the literature, in several ways. First, it is the most comprehensive discussion. It looks at case studies from every possible angle, and in a penetrating way that exposes the term “case study” as a handy label for what is actually a great variety of methods. It also examines case studies broadly, going beyond political science to describe variants of case studies that are done in economics, psychology, and medicine. The breadth of Gerring’s reading about this family of methods is extremely impressive. Second, it is clearly thought through and clearly explained. It corrects several mistaken notions about case studies. Third, chapter 7 is the most sensible and clear assessment of process-tracing that I have yet read. Fourth, because it is comprehensive and clear, it offers a new set of concepts for the different types of case studies and their goals and procedures, which could become a standard set of concepts that will make it easier for us all to debate these claims without getting tangled up in definitional issues. So it is a very important book. It’s probably a bit too technical for most undergraduates (although I am assigning chapter 3 to my undergrads this semester), but it should be required reading for graduate students, especially those in comparative politics