ABSTRACT

This chapter covers the methodological approach and describes the different steps involved in conducting the research, including case selection, data collection and sampling procedures.

The study follows a sequential mixed methods approach which means that two different methods are combined to increase validity and therefore generalizability. First, a qualitative content analysis (QCA) is conducted. To carry this out, a representative sample of the various stakeholders’ position papers and media statements is selected. The documents had been sent to decision-makers and contain the stakeholders’ positions. They are analyzed according to their lobbying goals, frame usage and lobbying success. Second, the qualitative results are quantified and tested in a cross-case comparison in order to look for effect patterns that can be generalized.

The chapter closes by presenting the data and its structure.