Abstract

This review article explores the evolution of qualitative methods for causal inference in political science and navigates different types of trade-offs between small-N and large-N research when using one versus the other. This study will also discuss the recent insights in comparative and case study methods, qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) as well as comparative historical analysis (CHA). The author conducted a systematic review of existing literature on political methodology and thoroughly analyzed the development of qualitative methods in the field. The recent development of qualitative methodology for causal analysis has provided important insight into the comparative and case study methods in political science. This study suggests that recent advances in small-N analysis have offered scholars and students of political science an opportunity to develop solid research strategies and designs.