O que é um Estudo de Caso e quais as suas potencialidades

The aim of this paper is to discuss the understanding of case study research design, in order to evidence its advantages and application challenges in Political Science. It starts with a conceptual discussion about the different definitions and conceptions about case studies found in the literature and then distinguish researchstrategies from number of cases and number of observations. We approach the role of case studies in treating multi-causality and the causal complexity of social phenomena, discussing in terms of internal and external validity and causal analysis strategies. In this sense, argumentation in favor of a different perspective is more common in case studies: instead of restricting designs that are structured in one or few observations treated in a qualitative approach, it is also possible to understand it as research strategiesthat adopt models of empirical analysis using quantitative techniques from the variation within the case. Finally, it is argued that different logics of causation and a dense characteristic of case studies givethe methodological rigor and a relevant place in creating and testing theories in Political Science.