Charles Ragin
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Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) as an Approach
Configurational Comparative Methods: Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Related Techniques
https://doi.org/10.4135/9781452226569.N1visibility
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Abstract
After reading this chapter, you should be able to: • Locate QCA as an approach and grasp its key epistemological foundations • Understand how and why QCA is "case oriented" and how one should use QCA to engage in a dialogue between cases and theories • Understand the specific conception of causality conveyed in QCAmultiple conjunctural causation-and its practical consequences • Reflect on the usefulness of QCA to reach a certain level of generalization beyond the observed cases • Grasp key common features of QCA techniques in terms of formalization, replication, transparency, and different types of uses • Become accustomed to some key technical terms and use the appropriate, QCA-specific terminology Goals of This Chapter LO C AT I N G QC A Epistemological Foundations To better understand QCA and its various techniques and applications, it is important to locate it both in its historical epistemological context and in its 1
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