A Methodological Framework for Empirical Analysis

Abstract

The theoretical framework introduced in Chap.  8 is a necessary but not sufficient condition for developing a profound understanding of transformation towards sustainability. Theoretical propositions should be supported by sound empirical evidence. An appropriate research design needs to capture as much of the complexity of processes in governance systems as possible. This suggests a comparative case-study approach and methodological pluralism. One problem arises: the processes of transformation and change occur over long time scales. Ideally longitudinal studies should be conducted that compare trajectories of change over decades. Alternatively, cases can be compared at different stages of development and transformative change. In order to compare insights from a range of cases and case study designs it is important to have a sound methodology and standardized data collection approaches.