Advanced process-tracing methods

This hands-on course aims to provide participants with the methodological tools to refine their use of process-tracing methods in their own substantive research, while also enabling them to embed process-tracing case studies in mixed-methods research design. The course requires active participation.
It is assumed that participants have taken previous courses on process-tracing and/or in-depth case study methods. Further, course participants should bring with them theoretical propositions that they wish to investigate along with some empirical data that can be evaluated using process-tracing methods.
The course will first review the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of process-tracing, including the Bayesian logic of inference. The core of the course will be hands-on workshops dealing with topics such as conceptualizing and operationalising mechanisms, along with tools for evaluating evidence. These workshops will use both the theoretical and empirical material of participants along with certain pre-prepared exercises.
In the concluding sessions we will debate the strengths and limitations of process-tracing, investigating when it can and cannot be used, and how it can be combined with other methods in mixed-method designs.

Course leader

Derek Beach
University of Aarhus

Target group

Advanced students and junior researchers in political science and adjacent disciplines

Course aim

as above

Credits info

2 EC
Participants have the opportunity to gain 2 ECTS credits from the University of Vienna for attending an Introductory or Advanced Courses (15 hours). Participants must successfully complete their course, and successfully complete their project assignment in order to obtain 2 ECTS credits – Transcripts will be sent to the participants by The University of Vienna.

For all courses being attended (Introductory, Advanced and/or Software Training Courses), participants also receive a certificate of attendance.

Certificates of accreditation (if applicable) as well as certificates of attendance are sent to the participants after the Winter School has ended, by the University of Vienna

Fee info

EUR 0: ECPR Member – €495
Non-ECPR Member – €690
ECPR Member who has attended the ECPR SSMT 2012* – €445
Non-ECPR Member who has attended the ECPR SSMT 2012* – €640
*There is a €50 loyalty discount deducted from all Introductory and Advanced Courses to participants who attended the 2012
Summer School in Methods and Techniques (SSMT) in Ljubljana (this discount does not apply to Software Training Courses).

Scholarships

Self funded students from ECPR member institutions will be able to apply for funding in the form of scholarship funds and travel and accommodation grants. Please use the following link for further information: http://new.ecprnet.eu/Funding/WinterSchool.as