Description
Book SynopsisQualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is an emerging research method that is highly suitable for evaluation studies. Clear and concise, this book explains how researchers and evaluators can use QCA effectively for the systematic and thorough analysis of large infrastructure projects, while also acknowledging their complexity.
Lasse Gerrits and Stefan Verweij present the key steps of this methodology to identify patterns across real-life cases. From collecting and interpreting data to sharing their knowledge and presenting the results, the authors use examples of megaprojects to emphasize how QCA can be used successfully for both single infrastructure ventures as well as more extensive projects. In addition to discussing the best practices and pitfalls of the methodology, further examples from current research are given in order to illustrate how QCA works effectively in both theory and practice.
Being written with researchers and evaluators in mind, this book will be of great benefit for students and scholars of evaluation studies, public administration, transport studies, policy analysis and project management. The book is also highly applicable for those working in public or private organizations involved in infrastructure projects looking for an effective, detailed and systematic method of evaluation.
Trade Review'Disentangling within-case complexity is a challenging task; even more so if one examines multiple cases. Gerrits and Verweij brilliantly demonstrate, using the latest conceptual and technical innovations, and through the concrete example of infrastructure projects, that QCA can produce qualitative leaps in taking on this challenge. This book is a must-read for researchers, evaluators and practitioners who take both complexity and comparison seriously.' --Benoit Rihoux, Universite catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Table of ContentsContents: 1. Not a Straightforward Path: Developing and Evaluating Infrastructure Projects 2. The Case 3. Calibration 4. Comparison 5. Complexity and Evaluation Revisited References Index
