Methodology of Research and Key Sources of Empirical Data

Abstract

The chapter is aimed to explain the methodology of the case study research, conceptualizing how two empirical parts of the study are interconnected and providing an overview of all methods that the author uses in multiple case study analysis, particularly on how the methodology could help him to find answers to the main research questions of the investigation. In addition, the synopsis of the most important steps of research is provided in a consecutive manner such as an overview of the institutional and stakeholder analysis, which is aimed to shed light on key theoretical aspects of open data politics and distinguish individual political roles of its main stakeholders; the context analysis of political, economic, social, and international factors of the open data movement in each country; the policy review of networking activities between its key players; and, more importantly, the content analysis of official open data platforms and independent open data-driven projects that helps to understand the phenomena of open data politics in a dynamic and multidimensional real-life context. Finally, he also describes key sources of empirical data and official documents, which are necessary to identify related policy and content analysis.