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1 year ago in Qualitative Research , Research Methodology By Walterwig
Mill’s Most different design is used in quantitative research many times. Can I use the same method or follow the same principle for choosing cases qualitatively?
I'm designing a multi-case qualitative study where understanding the boundaries of a phenomenon is key. The principle behind "most different" designs seeing if an outcome persists across diverse contexts intellectually resonates with my goals. However, I'm cautious about mechanically importing quantitative criteria into my qualitative work and seek clarity on a principled adaptation.
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By Neetish Answered 3 months ago
I’ve seen this tension often when qualitative researchers want the analytical leverage of comparison but need to honor interpretive depth. I would recommend you can absolutely use the guiding principle of seeking maximally diverse cases, but not the rigid, variable-driven procedure. In qualitative work, you're selecting for rich, informative contrast in contexts or experiences, not for controlling variables. The goal shifts from testing a hypothesis to exploring the scope and nuances of a phenomenon. Frame your case selection around this conceptual logic in your methodology chapter.
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