Qualitative Comparative Analysis using Fuzzy Sets
Date:
24/08/2015 - 25/08/2015
Organised by:
Aston Business School
Presenter:
Dr Matti Jaakkola
Level:
Intermediate (some prior knowledge)
Contact:
Description:
This course focuses on qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), which provides a “middle way” between the case-oriented (qualitative) and the variable-oriented (quantitative) approaches, integrating some of their best features. On the one hand, QCA considers each individual case as a complex entity, as a whole that needs to be comprehended. On the other hand, QCA allows one to analyse more than just a handful of cases, which opens up the possibility to produce generalisations. QCA builds on a notion of complex causality, which implies that the outcome (phenomenon to be explained) can be produced by a combination of causally relevant conditions, and that several different combinations of conditions (i.e., causal paths) may produce the same outcome. Depending on the context, a given condition may also have a different impact on the outcome. As a result, a researcher using QCA is urged to determine the number and character of the different causal models that exist among comparable cases. Adopting such an analytical method, it is also possible to investigate whether causal conditions are necessary or sufficient for a given outcome. Examinations of this type are outside the scope of conventional quantitative analysis.
Cost:
Student £150
Academic £250
Industry/Other £350
Website and registration:
Region:
West Midlands
Keywords:
Hypothesis testing research, Regression Methods, Multilevel Modelling , Quantitative Software
Related publications and presentations:
Hypothesis testing research
Regression Methods
Multilevel Modelling
Quantitative Software