Geografie 2012, 117, 308-328

https://doi.org/10.37040/geografie2012117030308

Qualitative methods, is there something new to learn for Czech geography?

Jan Kofroň

Univerzita Karlova v Praze, Přírodovědecká fakulta, katedra sociální geografie a regionálního rozvoje, Albertov 6, 128 43 Praha 2, Czechia

Received February 2012
Accepted July 2012

This article aims to provide the first geographical account on case studies as a tool of nomothetic science in the Czech context. The first aim is to convince the reader that case studies can and should be used for nomothetic research. However, only those who subscribe under label of neopositivism or scientific (critical) realism will benefit from the outlined approach to case studies. Simply put, methodology tends to reflect our often unconscious epistemological positions. Second aim is to present several techniques of case selection which can help to generate and test theories. It is important to note, that the best research design rests on combination of quantitative and qualitative research, however, mastering of both techniques is a necessary precondition for such fruitful marriage of methods.

References

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