case selection and the comparative method: introducing the case selector

  • Published: 14 August 2017
  • Volume 17 , pages 422–436, ( 2018 )

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comparative case study regions

  • timothy prescott 1 &
  • brian r. urlacher 1  

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We introduce a web application, the Case Selector ( http://und.edu/faculty/brian.urlacher ), that facilitates comparative case study research designs by creating an exhaustive comparison of cases from a dataset on the dependent, independent, and control variables specified by the user. This application was created to aid in systematic and transparent case selection so that researchers can better address the charge that cases are ‘cherry picked.’ An examination of case selection in a prominent study of rebel behaviour in civil war is then used to illustrate different applications of the Case Selector.

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comparative case study regions

Case Study Research

comparative case study regions

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and feedback over the course of the review processes. This project has been significantly improved by their suggestions. The authors have also agreed to provide access to the Case Selector through their faculty webpages at their affiliated institutions.

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prescott, t., urlacher, b.r. case selection and the comparative method: introducing the case selector. Eur Polit Sci 17 , 422–436 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-017-0128-5

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Published : 14 August 2017

Issue Date : September 2018

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1057/s41304-017-0128-5

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