Introduction to Process Tracing Methods

Process Tracing (PT) is a within-case method that focusses on tracing causal mechanisms—the actual “link” between a trigger and an outcome. This two-day in-person workshop introduces you to the essentials of this method, its main underlying assumptions, and its applicability. Taking a hands-on approach, the course develops both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills to set-up and conduct a full-fledged PT-study and addresses causal mechanisms, theory development, data-gathering and analysis, and drawing inferences. Throughout these two days, you will be asked to directly apply the insights to your own research project.

Learning goals:

• To be able to explain to a peer the added value of conducting a PT-study.

• To design a coherent and practicable PT-study in relation to your own research interests.

• To develop a strategy to implement and execute that study.

• To discuss the strengths and weaknesses of process tracing as a method.

Dates

The course will take place in person at the GIGA in Hamburg on the 16th and 17th December 2024, both days from 10 am to 5 pm. Please note that the course is open for external participants.

About the lecturer

Dr. Hilde van Meegdenburg is an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the Institute of Political Science, Leiden University. Besides her substantive focus on state foreign policy making, she is a methodologist in the making. Teaching Process Tracing (PT) methods across Europe since 2016, she is currently co-authoring a book with Patrick A. Mello, Uncovering Causal Symptoms, and is keen on coherently thinking through PT-designs for social scientific research. A recent Handbook Chapter on PT from her hand can be found here.