TY  - CHAP
A1  - Kuhlmann, Sabine
A1  - Seyfried, Markus
A2  - Vigoda-Gadot, Eran
A2  - Vashdi, Dana R.
T1  - Comparative methods B
T2  - Handbook of research methods in public administration, management and policy
N2  - This chapter outlines the relevance and value of comparative approaches and methods in studying Public Administration (PA). It discusses the roots and current developments of comparative research in PA and discusses various methodological venues for cross-country comparisons, such as most similar/dissimilar systems designs, the method of concomitant variation and the difference-in-difference method. Besides the description of these approaches, we highlight their conceptual value for theory-driven empirical comparative research. Drawing on selected pieces of comparative research, the chapter furthermore provides examples for the application of comparative methods in practice presenting empirical findings and highlighting strengths and weaknesses. The chapter finally emphasizes that the methodological development in comparative PA research has by far not yet reached its end, and that some future challenges need to be addressed, such as the issues of causality, generalizability, and mixed-methods approaches.
Y1  - 2020
UR  - https://publishup.uni-potsdam.de/frontdoor/index/index/docId/62275
SN  - 978-1-78990-347-8
SN  - 978-1-78990-348-5
SP  - 181
EP  - 196
PB  - Edward Elgar Publishing
CY  - Cheltenham, UK
ER  -