Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Department of Social Sciences - Berlin Graduate School of Social Science

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to QCA as an approach and method from a conceptual and technical perspective. Starting point is the presentation of basic ideas of set theoretical thinking; here, we will discuss the commonalities and differences to quantitative and qualitative-interpretative research paradigms. In the next step, set theoretical fundamentals such as sets, calibration, and set relations as necessary and sufficient conditions are explained. Here, we also strongly focus on issues of concept formation in general. After the introduction of set relations we concentrate on the central analytical tool of QCA: the truth table. In this section, we describe and practice the construction and minimization of a truth table. However, the truth table algorithm is not free of problems. For example, we debate pitfalls such as inconsistent truth table rows or rows in which we have no empirical data and present several strategies how to deal with these issues. On the second workshop-day, the software tool fsQCA is introduced and applied to published studies. Furthermore, codes of good practice are discussed - or alternatively selected work-in-progress of participants.

Please note: The workshop is part of the co-operation in graduate training between BGSS, BTS and the Hertie School. Doctoral researchers can obtain CPs for their curriculum (e.g. module "Qualitative Methods", BGSS curriculum).