社会杂志 ›› 2019, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (1): 129-152.

• 专题：个案研究与社会学知识体系 • 上一篇    下一篇

从实证视角理解个案研究:三阶段考察渠文的方法创新

耿曙   

  1. 浙江大学社会学系
  • 出版日期:2019-01-20 发布日期:2019-01-20
  • 作者简介:耿曙,E-mail:skeng@zju.edu.cn

The Methodological Foundation of Case Research: Exploring Qu's Novel Ideas over Case Selection, Case Study and Theory Building

KENG Shu   

  1. Department of Sociology, Zhejiang University
  • Online:2019-01-20 Published:2019-01-20

PDF

300

摘要：

本文尝试对话渠敬东“迈向社会全体的个案研究”一文：一方面通过实证视角，就渠文进行爬梳与理解，盼激发更多跨界对话；另一方面针对方法应用，自该文提炼策略与建议，盼有助催生具体的研究策略。基于上述目的，本文将“从个案到全体”的历程划分为三个阶段：选择个案、研究个案、推论个案，藉以条理渠文丰富多彩的方法论述。讨论过程中就渠文提示的个案研究途径与传统实证和诠释路径并列对照，帮助说明渠文创新所在。在总的方向上，本文与渠文一致，一方面力图论证个案研究的价值，尝试勾勒出规范、系统的个案方法；另一方面尝试通过个案研究对话，使实证阵营能够理解、欣赏诠释阵营的研究思路与丰厚内涵。

关键词: 个案研究, 个案选择, 理论建构, 实证视角, 研究方法

Abstract:

This paper is a response to Jingdong Qu's paper on the methods of case research. Its goal is two-fold:on the one hand,the paper seeks to make sense of Qu's novel ideas concerning the positivist methodology and thereby to stimulate further dialogues between the positivists and interpretivists;on the other hand,it aims at translating Qu's innovative suggestions into practical strategies as guidance for case research. Given the stated goal,the paper organizes its discussion in three sections of case selection,case study and theory building. The discussion offers a comparison of Qu's approach to the typical positivist as well as interpretative approach to highlight the differences among the three. For instance,regarding case selection,the paper explores the significance of existing knowledge and relevant "typical cases" as a strategy of case selection. In regard to case research,the paper discusses the limitations of the small-N plus context-sensitive nature of case research and then evaluates the merits of "multiple approaching" and "event metaphor",the two research strategies proposed by Qu. In conclusion,the paper strongly concurs with Qu's emphasis on "locating mechanisms" and "discovering structures",but also points out the inherent predisposition toward structuralism (or the sociological bias) in Qu's proposal of case methods. Echoing Qu's call,this study serves to help establish the methodological legitimacy of case research and bring together the positivists and interpretivists for further exchange and collaboration.

Key words: research methodology, case research, positivist approach, theory building, case selection