QCA and Fuzzy Set Measurement (bookings closed)
Date:
06/11/2012 - 07/11/2012
Organised by:
NCRM
Presenter:
Dr Wendy Olsen, University of Manchester
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Jacqui Thorp
Training Administrator
National Centre for Research Methods
University of Southampton
Tel: 023 8059 4069
Email: jmh6@soton.ac.uk
Description:
The course offers a review of Qualitative Comparative Analysis methods including the crisp and fuzzy set variants. The first day we focus on Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), a wonderful range of methods for studying patterns appearing in casewise data at the small-N and medium-N levels (from 8 to 200 cases, typically). The QCA methods firstly involve delineating the cases, then organising a systematic data in NVIVO or Excel, studying the configurations, and interpreting these mainly in terms of ‘necessary cause’ and ‘sufficient cause’ for each outcome. We demonstrate the fsQCA software for this. The same routines in STATA and in ‘R’ are briefly mentioned.
The second day focuses on Fuzzy Set Analysis including fuzzy set measurement. A fuzzy set is a record of the membership score of a case in a characteristic or set.* Our fuzzy-set analysis workshop covers and extends the QCA mixed-methods analysis of causality. We explain the “Boolean” algebra, calibration and causal interpretation. We discuss standard and non-standard measures of ‘consistency’ and calculate both within-group and sample-wide consistency levels for testing sufficient cause.
Fuzzy set measurement can be achieved either through the calibration of latent variables, through building up from a series of binary indicators, from Likert scales or from rescaling cardinal economic data. Fuzzy set applications in poverty studies offer examples with high technical expertise. The second morning is spent on fuzzy set measurement and its implications for QCA, and the afternoon is used for practicing the QCA method with fuzzy sets.
In the afternoon of each day there is scope for looking at data brought by participants. Case material from our own research and from the journals and textbooks will also be available. Data can be seen in an online library organised by www.compasss.org [sic]. In general this course underpins and fleshes out integrated mixed methods.
Please note participants will need to bring their own laptops to this course.
Cost:
The fee is:
1. £60 - For UK registered postgraduate students
2. £120 - For staff at UK academic institutions, ESRC funded researchers and registered charity organisations
3. £440 - For all other participants
All fees include event materials, lunch, morning and afternoon tea. They do not include travel and accommodation costs.
Region:
Scotland
Keywords:
Comparative and Cross National Research, Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:
Comparative and Cross National Research
Qualitative Data Handling and Data Analysis