Selecting cases
Explain why these cases were chosen and what remains outside the analysis. Convenient data access does not automatically make a sample representative.
Research · Compare without flattening
Comparative Methods: A Common Frame, Local Context
Comparison becomes meaningful when units, concepts, sources and periods are compatible while local context remains visible.
At a glance
Why this guide matters
The page supports case selection, a common comparison matrix and explicit transfer limits. It does not convert difference into ranking or simulate precision when evidence is incomplete.
Material status
This is an editorial guide for the initiative’s development version. It explains an approach and does not replace professional medical, legal or financial advice.
Practical route
Three steps for responsible work
Begin with context, record decisions and preserve each person’s right to revisit the terms.
A common comparison frame
Use consistent questions, periods and coding rules while preserving space for local concepts. Do not force a case into an unsuitable category.
Limits of inference
State which cases the conclusion covers, what alternatives remain and where data are incompatible. Comparison need not end in ranking.
Working checklist
What to check before moving on
- Explain the case-selection logic.
- Use common questions and coding rules.
- Preserve local concepts within the matrix.
- Describe incompatibility instead of implying false precision.
Both photographs on this page are unique object-based AI illustrations. They do not depict real people, traditions or places.
FAQ
Common questions
How many cases are needed?
It depends on the question, selection logic, data depth and method; justify the choice instead of seeking a universal number.
What if data are not comparable?
State definitional and method differences, limit the conclusion or avoid numerical comparison; never force equivalence.
Have experience or expert insight?
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