Qualitative Comparative Analysis Using R
A Beginner's Guide

A comprehensive introduction and teaching resource for state-of-the-art Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) using R software.

Ioana-Elena Oana (Author), Carsten Q. Schneider (Author), Eva Thomann (Author)

9781009009935, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 October 2021

180 pages, 63 b/w illus. 26 tables
22.9 x 15.4 x 1.4 cm, 0.37 kg

Social scientists interested in QCA should not miss this book. Oana, Schneider, and Thomann offer an introduction to QCA that is friendly, up to date, and technically advanced. The volume covers set relations, calibration of “crisp” and “fuzzy” sets, necessary conditions, sufficient configurations, temporality, advanced diagnostics, and post-QCA tools. Each chapter contains intuitive examples, advanced tips, and detailed implementation instructions in R. Aníbal Pérez-Liñán , University of Notre Dame

A comprehensive introduction and teaching resource for state-of-the-art Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) using R software. This guide facilitates the efficient teaching, independent learning, and use of QCA with the best available software, reducing the time and effort required when encountering not just the logic of a new method, but also new software. With its applied and practical focus, the book offers a genuinely simple and intuitive resource for implementing the most complete protocol of QCA. To make the lives of students, teachers, researchers, and practitioners as easy as possible, the book includes learning goals, core points, empirical examples, and tips for good practices. The freely available online material provides a rich body of additional resources to aid users in their learning process. Beyond performing core analyses with the R package QCA, the book also facilitates a close integration with the R package SetMethods allowing for a host of additional protocols for building a more solid and well-rounded QCA.

Part I. Getting started: Introduction: QCA in a nutshell
Part II. Before the analytic moment: 2. Calibrating and combining sets
Part III. During the analytic moment: 3. Necessary conditions
4. Sufficient conditions
Part IV. After the analytic moment: 5. Rounding up solid a QCA
6. Post-QCA tools
7. Summary and outlook.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Social research & statistics [JHBC], Research methods: general [GPS], Data analysis: general [GPH]