Use of Comparative Case Study Methodology for US Public Health Policy Analysis: A Review
Lauren M Dinour1, Amy Kwan, Nicholas Freudenberg
1Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey (Dr Dinour); Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, City University of New York School of Public Health and Health Policy, New York, New York (Ms Kwan and Dr Freudenberg).
Context:
There is growing recognition that policies influence population health, highlighting the need for evidence to inform future policy development and reform.
Objectives:
This review describes how comparative case study methodology has been applied to public health policy research and discusses the methodology's potential to contribute to this evidence.
Methods:
English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between 1995 and 2012 were sought from 4 databases. Articles were included if they described comparative case studies addressing US public health policy. Two researchers independently assessed the 20 articles meeting review criteria.
Main Outcome Measures:
Case-related characteristics and research design tactics utilized to minimize threats to reliability and validity, such as the use of multiple sources of evidence and a case study protocol, were extracted from each article.
Results:
Although comparative case study methodology has been used to analyze a range of public health policies at all stages and levels, articles reported an average use of only 3.65 (out of 10) research design tactics.
Conclusion:
By expanding the use of accepted research design tactics, public health policy researchers can contribute to expanding the evidence needed to advance health-promoting policies.
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