About this Event
(Department of Methodology)
This workshop will introduce participants to process tracing methodology, a method that is used by political scientists and sociologists to study the past or recent past by integrating theory and causal mechanisms with a historical narrative. We will begin by elaborating the basic ideas behind process tracing as a method for studying causal mechanisms in single-n case studies. We will walk through the steps of conducting process tracing and discuss best practices and examples. The workshop will also consider theory-testing and theory-building forms of process tracing.
The practical session will include group exercises designed to help participants learn and apply process tracing techniques. In particular, we will focus on how process tracing might or could be used to explain en masse strike action in higher education in 2023, and what such process tracing would look like and entail.
Participants should bring a laptop or mobile device to access the online materials during the session. Supporting materials will be distributed prior to the workshop.
This workshop is primarily for students from backgrounds and projects aligned with Sociology, Political Science & IR, International Development (as well as related departments, e.g. European Institute, III, Department of Gender, Social Policy, Health Policy). It is also a method applied to macro-sociological analysis and levels of analysis (e.g. policy/policy outcomes, organisations, states/sub-states, political parties, events) than micro-sociological analysis and levels of analysis (e.g. individuals and experiences).
Internal LSE Students interested in more can also check the resources on .
Session Date
When: 13:30 - 16:30, Tuesday 28 May 2022 (ST Week 5)
Where: CON 1.01, Department of Methodology, Connaught House
This session is in person only
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
CON 1.01, Connaught House, LSE, 65 Aldwych, London, United Kingdom
GBP 0.00