From a methodological point of view, most empirical innovation studies are process-oriented case studies. Against this backdrop, when starting a research project, researchers first have to specify their research question on various innovation-related dimensions in order to be able to adequately analyze innovation processes empirically, to decide on a research design, and to choose the most adequate methods. The chapter discusses these dimensions of focusing research questions as well as suitable data and methods for certain kinds of questions. The authors show which methodological problems arise from which way of focusing. Since the temporal dimension is particularly important for innovation processes, the authors discuss the duration (time layer and durée) as well as temporal patterns. These include aspects such as the investigation period, the number of measurements, the temporal sampling, and the data analysis and interpretation. The chapter concludes by assessing causality in innovation research.