Case Selection Logic in Qualitative Field Research

Mario Luis Small's "Case Selection in Field Research" examines the challenges faced by qualitative researchers, particularly ethnographers studying urban poverty, immigration, and social inequality, in a research landscape dominated by quantitative methodologies. The article critiques the common practice of imitating quantitative methods to enhance the generalizability of case studies, arguing that such attempts often superficially adopt the language without the underlying logic. Small employs Richard Feynman's concept of "cargo cult science" to illustrate this ineffectual imitation. Instead of striving for statistical representativeness in small-n studies, the author advocates for alternative approaches grounded in case study logic and logical inference, such as extending the extended case method and sequential interviewing. Ultimately, the article calls for a clearer understanding of the distinct epistemological contributions of qualitative research and the development of methods suited to generating logically sound hypotheses and identifying ontological realities.

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