The missing local dimension: towards a multi-method framework for studying party digitalisation

Research on party digitalisation has focused primarily on nationalparty organisations, leaders and campaign communication, leavingthe local dimension of digital change comparatively underexplored.This article argues that the local dimension represents not simplya missing empirical level but also a neglected methodologicalperspective. It develops a multi-method framework for analysinghow digitalisation unfolds across multi-level party organisations.Five approaches are considered: content analysis of digital tools,qualitative interviews with party actors, survey research, expertsurveys and the analysis of party documents. Each sheds light ona different aspect of party digitalisation, ranging from digital visibi-lity and governance to individual experiences, organisational capa-city and institutionalisation. Since no single method can capture theorganisational complexity of digital transformation, integratedresearch designs are needed to explain variation both betweenparties and across their local branches.