This book presents different research designs, their respective purposes and merits as well as their underlying assumptions. Research designs are characterised by a certain combination of knowledge aims and strategies for data production. An adequate design is the key to carrying out a successful research project. Nevertheless, the literature on design is scarce, compared to the literature on methods. This book clarifies the basic distinction between variable-oriented designs and case designs, and proceeds to integrated, comparative and intervention-oriented designs. A step-by-step guide to the design process and the choices to make is also included. The book's clear style makes it an excellent guide for master students and PhD students doing their first research exercises, while it is also useful for more experienced researchers who want to broaden their design repertoire and keep up to recent innovations in the field of research design.

Across the Nordic countries movements are taking place towards new political and administrative government structures at the regional level. The book presents an analysis of this development, in order to figure out both similarities and differences in the content of the reform and the reform process. At the same time the book also discusses how and to what extent new regions are growing from below. The overall aim of the book is to outline the broader implications of the Nordic experience for the understanding of the international trend towards the development of the new regions: What are the main elements in the top down reforms of regional governments? What is the content of regionalism processes related to each other? Are the state reforms mainly an answer to bottom up economic and social drives towards new regions? Are they rather motivated by ideas of a new regionalism which are spreading through Europe? Or are they maybe a result of a perceived need for more efficient service delivery at the regional level? By discussing these questions, the authors aim to contribute to the international discussion on new regions and regionalism.