THE USE OF PROCESS TRACING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

Abstract

This paper contributes to debate on the use of process tracing method in political science research. It examines the variants and condition necessary for the adoption of the method by case researchers and the ultimate goal of such investigation. It argues that process tracing is one of the relevant qualitative analysis tools and by extension an invaluable method that should be included in every researcher’s repertoire. The paper highlights three salient use of process tracing as a qualitative analysis tool in political science inquiry; first, for the inductive purpose of theory building which aims at uncovering and specifying causal mechanisms, for deductive purpose aimed at theory testing and lastly, explaining outcome. This paper ends by providing the relevant methodical application of process tracing in political science research.