Reviving the qualitative method: the contributions of the Case Study and Process Tracing for the study of International Relations

Abstract

The aim of this article is to expose the contributions of using case study and process tracing techniques in the field of International Relations (IR) aiming to reinforce the uncontested importance of debating methodology in an explicit way, therefore giving greater visibility to the referred methods in the Brazilian academic context. First, the importance and the contributions of the qualitative method will be analyzed, especially in the period known as Renaissance (or third generation). Subsequently, it will analyze the case study research strategy and the tool of process tracing: their definitions, typologies and limitations. The final considerations will delineate a balance of how both strategies may help a permanent evolution and renewing of the International Relations’ field.