Action Theory as a Tool for Causal Investigation in Qualitative Research: The Analysis of the Actions of Local Politicians and Administrators Involved in the Delivery of Agricultural Extension Services in Tanzanian`

Causal explanation of social action has been critical to modern and classic sociology because the most influential causal law of regularity has failed to be fruitful in explaining causal properties and the processes which form social action. Nevertheless, since the development of social action theory by Max Weber in 1926, there has been meager development concerning its use for causal investigation in qualitative research. Few researchers who attempt to use it do not satisfactorily capture the issue of context and process which connect the events. This article uses comparative case study research to analyze the actions of local politicians and administrators involved in the planning and decision making concerning the delivery of agricultural extension services in Tanzania. To be more precise, the analysis focus on the way institutional context determine the planning process on allocation of resources and the actions of officials involved in the planning of the services.