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Desk Research
Comparative Case Studies
Evaluators analyze multiple cases (e.g., program sites or contexts) to compare how implementation and outcomes align with or deviate from the program's theory. They document variations, similarities, and the reasons behind them to assess the theory's validity across different environments.
When This Method Fits
Typical duration
Months
Typical cost
Medium – High
Fidelity level
N/A
Stage
Scaling, Implementation
Hypothesis type
Mechanism, Outcome
Goal type
Deepen product-market fit, Scale the model, Maximize societal impact, Drive corporate innovation / R&D, Improve operational efficiency
Randomization
Not Possible
Study design
Benchmarked single-case comparison
Minimum units needed
2
Causal rigor
Min 2 · Max 3 / 5
1Best Fit When
Best when you need to understand why an initiative's results vary across different implementation contexts, especially while scaling.