Case studies are a widely used approach in the broad field of peace and conflict studies, featuring in the form of single and comparative case studies, as well as in multi-method approaches. Often involving significant levels of fieldwork, what sets them apart from research in other areas is the context in which such research is conducted. Collecting data in and on a fragile and conflict-affected environment and on what often are a politically highly sensitive and emotionally charged topics has significant methodological implications. These include that data is often relatively limited and its accuracy not always beyond doubt. Sources may be difficult to identify and to access and their credibility is at times questionable. Moreover, even where interlocutors are willing to share information, they may be exposed to retribution, and researchers are also potentially at risk. As a consequence, data is often even more imperfect than usual which has knock-on effects for both data analysis methods and the robustness of any inferences drawn, and, in turn, may limit the generalisability of any conclusions and the ability of researchers to offer credible policy recommendations.
While common sense can go a long way in addressing and avoiding some of these issues, this paper argues that there are also a number of ‘methodological solutions’ available to mitigate the challenges that fieldwork-based case studies pose to the rigour and integrity of research in and on conflict zones. In order to accomplish this task, I proceed in several steps. First, I outline some basic assumptions that I make about the case study method and its application in peace and conflict studies. I then discuss in more detail data requirements, data collection, and data analysis, before illustrating these somewhat more abstract considerations with concrete examples from two recent research projects—on the conflict in eastern Ukraine and on the US drones campaign in Pakistan. The paper concludes with a brief summary of the main argument and some general observations on likely trajectories of field-work based case study work in peace and conflict studies.
