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Case Selection via Matching

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  • Richard A. Nielsen

Abstract

This article shows how statistical matching methods can be used to select “most similar†cases for qualitative analysis. I first offer a methodological justification for research designs based on selecting most similar cases. I then discuss the applicability of existing matching methods to the task of selecting most similar cases and propose adaptations to meet the unique requirements of qualitative analysis. Through several applications, I show that matching methods have advantages over traditional selection in “most similar†case designs: They ensure that most similar cases are in fact most similar; they make scope conditions, assumptions, and measurement explicit; and they make case selection transparent and replicable.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard A. Nielsen, 2016. "Case Selection via Matching," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 45(3), pages 569-597, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:45:y:2016:i:3:p:569-597
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124114547054
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    6. Iacus, Stefano M. & King, Gary & Porro, Giuseppe, 2011. "Multivariate Matching Methods That Are Monotonic Imbalance Bounding," Journal of the American Statistical Association, American Statistical Association, vol. 106(493), pages 345-361.
    7. Iacus, Stefano M. & King, Gary & Porro, Giuseppe, 2012. "Causal Inference without Balance Checking: Coarsened Exact Matching," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(1), pages 1-24, January.
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