Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) (Coursera)

What can you do with QCA?

• QCA is a comparative method that is mainly used in the social sciences for the assessment of cause-effect relations (i.e. causation).

• QCA is relevant for researchers who normally work with qualitative methods and are looking for a more systematic way of comparing and assessing cases.

• QCA is also useful for quantitative researchers who like to assess alternative (more complex) aspects of causation, such as how factors work together in producing an effect.

• QCA can be used for the analysis of cases on all levels: macro (e.g. countries), meso (e.g. organizations) and micro (e.g. individuals).

• QCA is mostly used for research of small- and medium-sized samples and populations (10-100 cases), but it can also be used for larger groups. Ideally, the number of cases is at least 10. QCA cannot be used if you are doing an in-depth study of one case.

What will you learn in this course?

• The course is designed for people who have no or little experience with QCA.

• After the course you will understand the methodological foundations of QCA.

• After the course you will know how to conduct a basic QCA study by yourself.

How is this course organized?

• The MOOC takes five weeks. The specific learning objectives and activities per week are mentioned in appendix A of the course guide. Please find the course guide under Resources in the main menu.

• The learning objectives with regard to understanding the foundations of QCA and practically conducting a QCA study are pursued throughout the course. However, week 1 focuses more on the general analytic foundations, and weeks 2 to 5 are more about the practical aspects of a QCA study.

• The activities of the course include watching the videos, consulting supplementary material where necessary, and doing assignments. The activities should be done in that order: first watch the videos; then consult supplementary material (if desired) for more details and examples; then do the assignments.

• There are 10 assignments. Appendix A in the course guide states the estimated time needed to make the assignments and how the assignments are graded. Only assignments 1 to 6 and 8 are mandatory. These 7 mandatory assignments must be completed successfully to pass the course.

• Making the assignments successfully is one condition for receiving a course certificate.

About the supplementary material

• The course can be followed by watching the videos. It is not absolutely necessary yet recommended to study the supplementary reading material (as mentioned in the course guide) for further details and examples. Further, because some of the covered topics are quite technical (particularly topics in weeks 3 and 4 of the course), we provide several worked examples that supplement the videos by offering more specific illustrations and explanation. These worked examples can be found under Resources in the main menu.

• Note that the supplementary readings are mostly not freely available. Books have to be bought or might be available in a university library; journal publications have to be ordered online or are accessible via a university license.

• The textbook by Schneider and Wagemann (2012) functions as the primary reference for further information on the topics that are covered in the MOOC. Appendix A in the course guide mentions which chapters in that book can be consulted for which week of the course.

• The publication by Schneider and Wagemann (2012) is comprehensive and detailed, and covers almost all topics discussed in the MOOC. However, for further study, appendix A in the course guide also mentions some additional supplementary literature.

• Please find the full list of references for all citations (mentioned in this course guide, in the MOOC, and in the assignments) in appendix B of the course guide.

What You Will Learn

- After the course you will understand the methodological foundations of QCA.

- After the course you will know how to conduct a basic QCA study by yourself.

Syllabus

WEEK 1

Introduction, analytic foundations and the QCA research process

In week 1, we will discuss a) the nature and structure of the general research process in QCA, b) the analytic foundations of QCA, and c) the features of the general QCA research field.

WEEK 2

Research design and calibration

Week 2 focuses on the design of a QCA study, particularly as regards a) the general orientation of such a study and b) the development of a research model with cases, conditions and an outcome. We will also discuss the so-called c) “calibration” process. With calibration, the researcher scores cases on conditions that might cause an outcome, and on the outcome itself.

WEEK 3

The truth table

Week 3 is about the “truth table”, which indicates the relation between combinations of conditions on the one hand, and an outcome on the other. You will learn about a) the function of the truth table, b) how to make a truth table, and c) how the truth table may be changed by going back to the design and calibration phases.

WEEK 4

Logical minimization and the interpretation of output

In week 4, we will discuss “logical minimization”, which amounts to a systematic comparison between cases. We will discuss a) the principles of the minimization process, b) different ways in which you can do the minimization process, and c) the interpretation of the results of the minimization process.

WEEK 5

Using FsQCA, more about the interpretation of output, and the write-up

In week 5, it will be demonstrated how a) software can be used for making the truth table and performing logical minimization. We will also further discuss b) the interpretation of the results of logical minimization and c) the reporting of results of a QCA study in a scientifically sound manner.