This course is designed for participants who have experience in qualitative or quantitative research and who are interested in applying qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in their current or future studies. This is an introductory course, but participants are advised to make themselves familiar with the recommended literature before participating.
Professor Jeroen van der Heijden – With 20+ years of international research experience, Jeroen specializes in climate change solutions for urban environments, encompassing both mitigation and adaptation strategies. His journey includes an MSc in Architecture and Ph.D. in public administration from TU Delft (Netherlands) and academic roles at institutions worldwide, including professorships at the Australian National University (Australia), Amsterdam University (Netherlands), and the Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand). He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, 70 book chapters, and notable books on urban climate governance and action—many of which include applications of QCA.
Since 2007, he has been applying QCA in various research projects and has been teaching the method since 2017. More information on Jeroen’s work is available from www.jeroenvanderheijden.net.
Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) provides a bridge between case-oriented and variable-oriented research methods. It is rapidly making inroads in the social sciences. This Course will introduce participants in:
(i) the basics of QCA—set-theory and Boolean algebra;
(ii) the various approaches to QCA—crisp set, multi value, and fuzzy set;
(iii) different software packages—fs/QCA and Tosmana;
(iv) current debates on and application of QCA; and,
(v) will challenge participants to develop their own QCA project.
The target audience for this course are researchers, practitioners and academics who have conducted at least one qualitative study, and are familiar with the process and context of qualitative research.
Day 1
Introductory session. Outline of the course and identification of participants’ research interests and expectations. Epistemological foundations of QCA; QCA in relation to case-oriented and variable-oriented research; an easy example of QCA application by hand; QCA terminology.
Day 2
Introduction to set-theory and Boolean algebra. Carrying out a QCA in ten steps.
Day 3
The differences between crisp set (csQCA), multi value (mvQCA), and fuzzy set (fzQCA) applications of QCA. When to use which application, and when not. Carrying out a QCA in ten steps (continued).
Day 4
Scrutinizing the literature on QCA: methodological advances and applications. We will particularly address the literature that contrasts QCA with related statistical methods (regression analysis and cluster analysis), and scrutinise some studies that have applied QCA—we are interested to understand what works and what does not in how QCA analysis is presented.
Day 5
Design, apply, and present your own QCA research. In this session participants will be challenged to present their QCA project, including their support for choosing QCA as the appropriate method for their study. The focus will be on presenting a QCA study to an audience that is less familiar with this method.
This course will take place in a classroom. Participants are advised to bring a laptop.
Participants will be expected to have experience with at least one qualitative research project or have undertaken an introductory level course in qualitative research methods. While some discussion of the technical elements of methods is presented during the course of the workshop, participants should have a basic familiarity with data collection methods such as interviews, observation, and document analysis.
Other readings:
- Schneider, C. and C. Wagemann (2012). Set-Theoretic Methods for the Social Sciences. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
- Ragin, C. (2008). Redesigning Social Inquiry: Fuzzy Sets and Beyond. Chicago, Chicago University Press.
- Rihoux, B. and C. Ragin (2009). Configurational Comparative Analysis. London, Sage.
Q: Do I have to have had any qualitative research experience to do this course?
A: Yes, you will have been expected to have experience with at least one qualitative research project or have undertaken an introductory level course in qualitative research methods.
Q: Do I have to have had any experience with QCA to do this course?
A: No, but it is strongly recommended to familiarise yourself with the recommended texts before participating in this course; particularly Schneider and Wagemann (2012).
Q: I already have some experience with QCA. Will I get anything out of this introductory course?
A: You absolutely will. Dr
Professor Jeroen van der Heijden – With 20+ years of international research experience, Jeroen specializes in climate change solutions for urban environments, encompassing both mitigation and adaptation strategies. His journey includes an MSc in Architecture and Ph.D. in public administration from TU Delft (Netherlands) and academic roles at institutions worldwide, including professorships at the Australian National University (Australia), Amsterdam University (Netherlands), and the Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand). He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, 70 book chapters, and notable books on urban climate governance and action—many of which include applications of QCA.
Since 2007, he has been applying QCA in various research projects and has been teaching the method since 2017. More information on Jeroen’s work is available from www.jeroenvanderheijden.net.
The instructor's bound, book length course notes will serve as the course text.