비교·지역연구에 있어서 최선의 연구전략: 변수중심연구전략인가 사례중심연구전략인가

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.