What is the Best Research Strategy in Comparative and Area Studies: Variable-oriented Strategy or Case-oriented Strategy

Abstract

Variable-oriented and case-oriented research strategy are well established in comparative and area studies. In variable-oriented strategy, the goal is to demonstrate that a correlation holds for a certain population. The weakness of variable-oriented strategy is its tendency toward excessive generalization. In case-oriented strategy, the goal is to interpret a common holistic outcome. The weakness of case-oriented strategy is its tendency toward particularizing. A conceivable alternative strategy is to combine the two major strategies. A combined strategy is applying both strategies to a research puzzle. The logic of both research strategies essentially the same. That is, variable-oriented and case-oriented strategy share a scientific logic. Both variable-oriented and case-oriented strategy have characteristics to falsify initial hypotheses by empirical evidences. In combined strategy, variable-oriented strategy can be used to verify the causal significance of a condition varies by context or case-oriented strategy used to confirm a correlation which is inferred from a certain sample