Abstract
The study takes as its point of departure different theoretical perspectives from which analytical inferences will be developed deductively. These inferences will be compared to the empirical findings along the way, allowing analytical feedback to the theoretical perspectives. Applying the method of process tracing (detailed casestudy) makes it possible to examine multiple observations, and to assess which causal mechanisms have been activated (King et al., 1994). Against this backdrop, I have chosen a methodology roughly described as a descriptive and explanatory case-study within the qualitative domain. This choice involves of course the trade-off between depth and scope — the single case allowing for greater focus on causal mechanisms, while the comparative approach may provide more room for testing hypothesis.
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References
Some of my respondents wished to remain anonymous. I prepared a confidential list of interviewees in Appendix 1 in the dissertation version of this book (Rosendal, 1999).
Like power and state, regime is a conceptual creation, and neither can be observed as they really are (Kratochwil & Ruggie, 1986:764).
A causal mechanism describes the link between an independent and dependent variable. A methodological implication pertains to my efforts in Tables 3.1 and 3.2 to sort out the main independent variables and causal pathways in the analytical framework of this study: One scholar’s independent variable may be another’s causal mechanism. Hence, the ordering in the tables may be questioned, but I still consider it necessary to include them.
For instance, my interviewees agree that the CBD is already being used to legitimise and spur national legislation and policy formation. An alternative explanation is that there are economic or technological developments, or an upsurge in domestic pressure groups, or even external pressure, which may be the real factors accounting for the apparent boost in policy activity. The theoretical propositions with which I operate are primarily probabilistic in nature. Hence, when the “right” conditions are found to be present without being followed by the anticipated event, this can be taken to weaken the theoretical proposition — but it does not necessarily refute it.
This latter point relates to the top-down/bottom-up debate in implementation theory which is discussed in Chapter 7.
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© 2000 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
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Rosendal, G.K. (2000). Methodological Deliberations. In: The Convention on Biological Diversity and Developing Countries. Environment & Policy, vol 25. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9421-9_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9421-9_2
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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