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Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA): Performing Basics and Advanced Analyses using R (RSS1.03) - Confirmed

This one-week summer course introduces students to performing Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) with the freely available R software. QCA is an innovative set-theoretic technique that compares small, intermediate or large numbers of cases to identify necessary and/or sufficient conditions for an outcome, model causally complex patterns, and integrate in-depth case knowledge. 

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General

 

The application deadline has passed, applying is no longer possible

This course introduces you to performing Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) with the freely available R software. QCA is an innovative set-theoretic technique that compares small, intermediate or large numbers of cases to identify necessary and/or sufficient conditions for an outcome, model causally complex patterns, and integrate in-depth case knowledge. 

The intensive five-day summer course combines theoretical blocks with hands-on exercises. You will use real-life data to replicate a published study and discuss examples from your own research projects in class. 
 

The course covers the following topics:

  • Day 1: Basics of QCA 
    • Origins, analytic aims, and variants of QCA 
    • Causal complexity 
    • Necessity and sufficiency 
    • Sets and set calibration and membership 
    • Lab: Introduction to the R software 
  • Day 2: Understanding the technique
    • Logical and technical underpinnings 
    • Boolean algebraic foundations of QCA 
    • Set relations and parameters of fit 
    • Lab: Set calibration, combining sets, plot set relations 
  • Day 3: Analyses of necessity and sufficiency 
    • Steps of the analyses of necessity and sufficiency 
    • Implications of skewed set membership 
    • Lab: Own crisp set QCA by hand; simple set relations; truth table analysis and logical minimization with R 
  • Day 4: Limited empirical diversity 
    • Potential pitfalls in QCA in the face of “noisy” empirical data 
    • Limited diversity and counterfactuals 
    • Conservative, intermediate, and parsimonious solutions types 
    • Lab: Standard Analysis with R 
  • Day 5: After the analysis 
    • Presentation and interpretation of the results 
    • QCA as an approach 
    • Post-QCA case selection 
    • Good practices and transparency requirements 
    • Lab: Model ambiguity; exporting and visualizing QCA results
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Starting date

17 June 2024, 9 am
Educational method
On-site
Main Language
English
Sessions
17 June 2024, 9 am - 21 June 2024, 5 pm
Teacher(s)
Eva Thomann
Guest teacher
Unique code
RSS1.03

Factsheet

Type of education
Course
Entry requirements
See the requirements in cost and admission
Study load (ECTS)
2
Result
Certificate

Total package & social events

Tim Haesebrouck

Tim Haesebrouck

Tim Haesebrouck is assistant professor in international relations at Ghent University, whose research focusses on defence policy, military operations and foreign policy analysis. Tim has several publications on the methodological development of QCA, including  “Relevant, irrelevant, or ambiguous? Toward a new interpretation of QCA’s solution types” (2020, Sociological Methods & Research) and “Causation, inferences, and solution types in configurational comparative methods” (2021, Quality & Quantity, with Eva Thomann). Moreover, his empirical applications of QCA and related configurational comparative methods have been published in high-ranking journals like Journal of Conflict Resolution, Journal of European Public Policy, European Political Science Review and Journal of Peace Research. In addition, he has extensive experience in teaching QCA at Ghent University and in courses organized by the FLAMES-network. 

The application deadline has passed, applying is no longer possible

 

Costs

  • Regular: €1049 (application deadline 13th of May)
  • Student & PhD's: €699 (application deadline 13th of May)

Includes: your course, short morning and late afternoon courses, coffee and tea during breaks, a warm lunch every day, Official Opening, MethodsNET Café (including some drinks and snacks) Official Closing (with some drinks and snacks) and a 1-year (2024 calendar year) free membership as MethodsNET regular member.

Excludes: transport, accommodation, social events and other costs. 

Discounts and Scholarships

Admission


Level of participant: 

  • PhD
  • Postdoc
  • Professional


Admission requirements:  

You should have basic knowledge of comparative empirical research. No prior knowledge of the R software is required, although it might be an advantage.

Admission documents: 

None