Common use of Research Methodology Clause in Contracts

Research Methodology. As explained above, this thesis adopts its theoretical framework from the de facto state literature (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2011; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012; ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2014, 2017; Pegg, 1998, 2017; ▇▇▇▇▇, 2004; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2014; ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2006; ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2014). Through analysing the case of Kurdistan, this study aims to add empirical insights to the nature and dynamics of de facto statehood in the absence of international recognition. This thesis does not set out to offer findings that can be generalized across de facto states. However, chapters 2, 3, and 4 (chapter 5 is under review), which have been published independently in peer-reviewed journals, try to enhance the knowledge of the dynamics and sustainability of de facto states. My research strategy is qualitative, a paradigm useful for explanatory studies (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012). As this thesis seeks to explain the nature and dynamics of the de facto statehood, it makes sense to establish the foundation of the research on qualitative ground. In addition, this thesis adopts a methodology of case studies. There is an increasing interest in large-N and statistical studies in the recent literature on de facto states (see, for example, ▇▇▇▇▇▇ 2014 and 2020; Toomla, 2016; Comai, 2018), aiming at providing more generalizable conclusions. Despite such initiatives, however, the theoretical discussion is still in its nascent stages (▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al., 2017, p. 4), and a deeper understanding of de facto state dynamics can be gained through novel case studies. Case studies are also important for the building of concepts, such as fluidity, as this thesis tries to build in order to explain the nature of de facto statehood. This method allows us to provide important empirical evidence relevant to existing theories on de facto statehood. Given the nature of de facto states, which are often viewed from a “frozen conflict” perspective, a single case study can contribute to the theory, as well as informing better policy. Though the case of Kurdistan has been recognised as a de facto state, it has not been the focus of recent comparative work on de facto states (see ▇.▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, 2004; ▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012; ▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2013; ▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2008; ▇’▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ et al., 2014; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2007; ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012). An in-depth analysis of Kurdistan is useful as an example that necessitates the theoretical modification of existing approaches. The selection of a case study method has four main advantages for this thesis. First, it is designed to deal with the complexity of the case in question, providing knowledge that is in- depth, holistic, and context-sensitive (▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2012; ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇, 2000; ▇▇▇▇ & ▇▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇▇▇, 2016; ▇▇▇▇▇, 1995). This is useful for the central objective of the thesis: providing a full-fledged explanation of fluidity in the case of Kurdistan. My research questions