The Extended Case Method (ECM) was developed in British social anthropology during the 1950s and 1960s and has become one of the standard qualitative methods in the field. It can be defined as the detailed documentation and analysis of specific events or event sequences observed in the field, from which general theoretical principles can be derived. Unlike a singular, time-limited case study, the ECM investigates the interconnectedness of multiple social events over extended periods, where the same actors are involved. This method allows for the capture of social negotiation processes. ECM data typically consist of „thick descriptions“ that contain numerous sensitive personal references, which require particularly careful protection and anonymization.