The Institute for Qualitative and Multi-Method Research (IQMR)

Since its founding sixteen years ago, the Institute for Qualitative and Multi-Method Research has welcomed well over two thousand graduate students and junior faculty. 

The institute seeks to enable participants to create and critique methodologically sophisticated qualitative research designs, including case studies, tests of necessity or sufficiency, and narrative or interpretive work. It explores the techniques, uses, strengths, and limitations of these methods, while emphasizing their relationships with alternative approaches. Topics include research design, concept formation, methods of structured and focused comparisons of cases, typological theory, case selection, process tracing, comparative historical analysis, congruence testing, path dependency, interpretivism, counterfactual analysis, interview and field research (including archival) techniques, necessary and sufficient conditions, fuzzy set methods, and philosophy of science issues relevant to qualitative research.

Illustrations are drawn from exemplary research in international relations, comparative politics, and American politics. The schedule and reading list from the sixteenth annual institute, available through the link on the left, indicates the range of the issues that are covered. Please note, however, that this syllabus will be revised for the seventeenth institute, and should be viewed with this in mind.

IQMR attendees receive constructive feedback on their own qualitative research designs. 

CQRM member institutions will use their own meritocratic criteria to select participants to attend the 2018 institute, and must notify CQRM of their choices by February 23rd, 2018. 

Students, fellows and junior faculty who are not sure if they will be selected, or who attend non-member organizations, should apply directly to CQRM through the open pool. Click here for the application form. The deadline for applications is November 20th, 2017. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in December. CQRM will cover the costs of participation, lodging, and meals for successful applicants. Attendees will be responsible for their own transportation costs to and from Syracuse University.

Participants at the 2018 institute will arrive on Sunday June 17th, and depart on Friday June 29th, or Saturday June 30th. Sessions will commence on Monday June 18th. The institute will run until the afternoon of Friday June 29th, with a two day break on June 23rd and 24th.