Methods Guide
Choosing and applying an appropriate method is one of the most challenging parts of writing a thesis. This guide covers the methods most commonly used by students I supervise, with practical guidance on how to apply each one.
Each method page explains what the method is, when to use it, how to apply it step by step, how to structure the relevant thesis chapters, and what to read. The methods are not mutually exclusive — many theses combine two or more (for example, comparative case study design with process tracing, or framing analysis with corpus building).
For general guidance on selecting a method, see the Getting Started Guide — Step 4: Building Your Analytical Framework. For how your method choice is assessed, see Assessment Standards — Application of Knowledge.
The Methods
Comparative Case Study
Cross-case analysis using MSSD, MDSD, and structured comparison
Process Tracing
Within-case analysis of causal mechanisms step by step
Framing Analysis
How issues are presented in media, policy, and political communication
Discourse Analysis
How language constructs meaning, identity, and power relations
Practical Guides
Other Methods to Explore
The methods above are covered in depth because they are especially common in the programs I supervise. But they are far from the only options. Depending on your research question, you may also want to consider:
| Method | Brief description | Common in |
|---|---|---|
| Qualitative interviewing + thematic analysis | Semi-structured interviews analyzed for recurring themes and patterns | All programs, especially fieldwork-based theses |
| Content analysis | Systematic coding and categorization of textual material; can be quantitative or qualitative | IR, media-adjacent topics |
| Survey methods / quantitative analysis | Statistical analysis of original or secondary survey data | MAIR especially, BAIS with quantitative focus |
| Archival research | Systematic analysis of historical documents, government records, correspondence | Korean Studies, history-focused MAAS theses |
Discuss your methodological choices with your supervisor early. The Getting Started Guide — Step 4 covers method selection in general terms.