Description
Book SynopsisThis book offers a hands-on introduction and teaching resource for students, users, and teachers of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA; Ragin, 1987, 2000, 2008b). Given its superior ability to model certain aspects of complexity, QCA has made inroadsinto virtually every social science discipline and beyond. Software solutions for QCA have also been developing at a fast pace. This book seeks to reduce the time and effort required when we first encounter the logic of not just a new method but also newsoftware. It offers a genuinely simple, intuitive, and hands-on resource for implementing the state-of-the-art protocol of QCA using R, the most advanced software environment for QCA. Our book has an applied and practical focus--
Trade ReviewIn a relatively short, clear, and well-written textbook, the authors cover all the essentials of QCA. It includes all the current practices and developments that one needs to do a complete QCA analysis. I am using it in my QCA class and I think the students will like it. Gary Goertz, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame
This book is simply a must for anyone aiming at exploiting 'hands on' the distinctive analytic leverage of QCA, via the vast possibilities of the R environment. Benoît Rihoux, University of Louvain and COMPASSS global network (compasss.org)
Every now and then, a book comes along of which you think 'why wasn't this around when I was learning this stuff?'. Because sometimes, you just want to learn from the best. The authors have written an excellent guide for both first-time users and experienced QCA scholars: robust, powerful, and a must-read. Bart Cambré, Antwerp Management School
Easily accessible and loaded with a wealth of examples, this important book by Oana, Schneider, and Thomann provides an expert guide to the set-analytic perspective. The integration of concepts and research strategies with the R software package makes their approach particularly successful. I expect it will quickly become the standard introduction to QCA. Peer C. Fiss, University of Southern California
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
Table of ContentsPart 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.
