Abstract
This methodological chapter argues for the relevance of case studies in psychology and the social sciences, and recalls current debates surrounding this issue linked to definition of a case, reflexivity and quality. It then presents the fieldwork on which the regional case study is based, and the methodology – a qualitative participant observation, inspired by ethnography. The rationale for the analysis is presented: here data was analysed in deep dialogue with theoretical elaboration, and across levels of analysis, in an abductive manner. The question of generalisation from case studies is also raised. Finally, a short reflection on the demand for legitimation of this kind of approach in psychology and the social sciences is proposed.
The behavioral scientist must learn to admit that he never observes the behavior “that would have taken” place in his absence, nor hears an account identical with what which the same narrator would give to another person. Fortunately, the so-called disturbances created by the observers’ existence and activities when properly exploited, are the cornerstone of a scientific behavioral science, and not – as is currently believed – deplorable contretemps, best disposed of by hurriedly sweeping them under the rug.—(Devereux, 1967, pp. 6–7)
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Zittoun, T. (2019). Methodology. In: Sociocultural Psychology on the Regional Scale. SpringerBriefs in Psychology(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33066-8_3
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