20
Methodology
Derek Beach defines process tracing as a research method that is used to trace
cause-effect relationships by means of a detailed, within-case empirical analysis.
This method can be utilized in case studies in order to reveal causal relationships in
a certain historical case. It can also be employed to reveal cause-effect relationships
that can be generalized to a similar population consisting of similar cases (www.
politics.oxfordre.com 2018).
Hence, the current study employed the research method of process tracing in
which case studies were conducted in order to examine the reasons behind the
change in the US foreign and energy policies regarding the Caspian Sea area
throughout the Bush and Obama administrations. Thus, the case that constituted the
core of the case study was the US energy diplomacy in the Caspian Sea region.
There is consensus in the literature that stronger inferences can be drawn from
the data obtained in studies which employ both within-case analysis and cross-case
comparisons of cases with the former have an additional role in theory development. Sometimes, the term “qualitative method” is used to include not only case
study analyses based on a relatively positivist view of the philosophy of science but
also those based on a postmodern or interpretive paradigm. Even though some discourse analysis methodologies are close to the case studies defined above, postmodern narratives are excluded from the view of case studies (George and Bennett
2005:18–19).
Case studies and process tracing were the principal research methods used to
investigate the underlying reasons for the shift in US foreign and energy policy in
the Caspian Sea region during the Bush and Obama administrations. US energy
diplomacy in the Caspian Sea region was selected as a case study for this main reason. During the Bush era, the US paid more attention to this region with the aim of
sending troops and military equipment destined for Afghanistan.
In this regard, I used great works by Alexander George and Andrew Bennett,
“Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences” published by
MIT. Alexander George and Andrew Bennett define case study methods as:
…to include both within-case analysis of single cases and comparisons of a small number
of cases, since there is a growing consensus that the strongest means of drawing inferences
from case studies is the use of a combination of within-case analysis and cross-case comparisons within a single study or research program (although single-case studies can also
play a role in theory development). The term “qualitative methods” is sometimes used to
encompass both case studies carried out with a relatively positivist view of the philosophy
of science and those implemented with a postmodern or interpretive view. We exclude postmodern narratives from our view of case studies, though some of the more disciplined
forms of discourse analysis approach our view of case studies. (George and Bennett
2005:18–19)
1 Theoretical Framework
Methodology
Derek Beach defines process tracing as a research method that is used to trace
cause-effect relationships by means of a detailed, within-case empirical analysis.
This method can be utilized in case studies in order to reveal causal relationships in
a certain historical case. It can also be employed to reveal cause-effect relationships
that can be generalized to a similar population consisting of similar cases (www.
politics.oxfordre.com 2018).
Hence, the current study employed the research method of process tracing in
which case studies were conducted in order to examine the reasons behind the
change in the US foreign and energy policies regarding the Caspian Sea area
throughout the Bush and Obama administrations. Thus, the case that constituted the
core of the case study was the US energy diplomacy in the Caspian Sea region.
There is consensus in the literature that stronger inferences can be drawn from
the data obtained in studies which employ both within-case analysis and cross-case
comparisons of cases with the former have an additional role in theory development. Sometimes, the term “qualitative method” is used to include not only case
study analyses based on a relatively positivist view of the philosophy of science but
also those based on a postmodern or interpretive paradigm. Even though some discourse analysis methodologies are close to the case studies defined above, postmodern narratives are excluded from the view of case studies (George and Bennett
2005:18–19).
Case studies and process tracing were the principal research methods used to
investigate the underlying reasons for the shift in US foreign and energy policy in
the Caspian Sea region during the Bush and Obama administrations. US energy
diplomacy in the Caspian Sea region was selected as a case study for this main reason. During the Bush era, the US paid more attention to this region with the aim of
sending troops and military equipment destined for Afghanistan.
In this regard, I used great works by Alexander George and Andrew Bennett,
“Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Sciences” published by
MIT. Alexander George and Andrew Bennett define case study methods as:
…to include both within-case analysis of single cases and comparisons of a small number
of cases, since there is a growing consensus that the strongest means of drawing inferences
from case studies is the use of a combination of within-case analysis and cross-case comparisons within a single study or research program (although single-case studies can also
play a role in theory development). The term “qualitative methods” is sometimes used to
encompass both case studies carried out with a relatively positivist view of the philosophy
of science and those implemented with a postmodern or interpretive view. We exclude postmodern narratives from our view of case studies, though some of the more disciplined
forms of discourse analysis approach our view of case studies. (George and Bennett
2005:18–19)
1 Theoretical Framework