Bridging the Gap between the Qualitative and Quantitative Worlds? A Retrospective and Prospective View on Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Rihoux, Benoît

doi:10.1177/1525822x03257690

Cited by 108 publications

(103 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Too often, maximizing explained variation becomes the central focus of the investigation (Lieberson 1985). By contrast, the goal of configurational analysis using set-theoretic methods is to help researchers make sense of their cases (Ragin 1987;Rihoux 2003;Ragin and Rihoux 2004). Calculations of consistency and coverage do and should provide guidance, but the ultimate ''test'' of the results of a configurational analysis is not their consistency or coverage but how well they help researchers make sense of their cases.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Set Relations in Social Research: Evaluating Their Consistency and Coverage

Ragin¹

2006

Polit. anal.

1,231

1,215

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Because of its inherently asymmetric nature, set-theoretic analysis offers many interesting contrasts with analysis based on correlations. Until recently, however, social scientists have been slow to embrace set-theoretic approaches. The perception was that this type of analysis is restricted to primitive, binary variables and that it has little or no tolerance for error. With the advent of ''fuzzy'' sets and the recognition that even rough set-theoretic relations are relevant to theory, these old barriers have crumbled. This paper advances the set-theoretic approach by presenting simple descriptive measures that can be used to evaluate set-theoretic relationships, especially relations between fuzzy sets. The first measure, ''consistency,'' assesses the degree to which a subset relation has been approximated, whereas the second measure, ''coverage,'' assesses the empirical relevance of a consistent subset. This paper demonstrates further that set-theoretic coverage can be partitioned in a manner somewhat analogous to the partitioning of explained variation in multiple regression analysis.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Set Relations in Social Research: Evaluating Their Consistency and Coverage

Ragin¹

2006

Polit. anal.

1,231

1,215

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“…Ultimately, as recommended by Greckhamer et al (2008), we can consider that these cases constitute a population of relevant cases on downsizing implementation practices in France during the 2000s. Furthermore, the degree of familiarity that we had (primary data) or gained through reading and seeking additional information (secondary data) on each case allowed us to conduct the iterative and creative process inherent to the QCA method through ongoing dialogue between variables and case studies (Rihoux, 2003), as illustrated below.…”

Section: General Features and Benefits Of The Qca Methods For Ir Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the Pathways to Above-Mandatory Severance Pay When Downsizing: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of 20 Cases in France

Garaudel

Beaujolin

Noël

et al. 2016

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When it comes to negotiating over a collective dismissals plan, the French national legal framework explicitly encourages social partners to favour outplacement services over significant indemnity payments. However, significant above-mandatory redundancy payments are commonly granted to laid-off workers. Based on these factual observations, this article aims to identify the antecedent conditions, or, more precisely, the combinations of conditions, that lead to the granting of a large severance pay. We conducted a qualitative comparative analysis (Crisp set QCA) methodology applied to 20 monographs on downsizing operations that took place in France during the 2000s. The results show that above-mandatory severance payments are closely related to two major dimensions characterizing the economic and social context in which restructuring processes are carried out. The first one is about the balance of power prevailing between the company decisionmakers and the employees. This balance of power dimension is subsumed by two distinct conditions: the availability of financial resources and the presence of active unions. The second dimension relates to the moral and economic damages inflicted upon laid-off workers. This dimension is intrinsically connected to two downsizing process features, i.e. the perceived degree of legitimacy associated with the downsizing process and the degree of employability associated with the laid-off workers. Most notably, it appears that none of the identified conditions is sufficient by itself to induce the payment of a significant above-mandatory indemnity. However, some causal conditions may induce the outcome variable when they are combined with some specific other antecedent conditions. Thus, our research shows that the financial resource condition leads to the granting of an above-mandatory indemnity either in conjunction with a low degree of worker’s employability or in conjunction with both a weak perceived legitimacy of the restructuring process and the presence of active unions.Les dispositifs légaux français qui encadrent les suppressions d’emplois incitent explicitement les partenaires sociaux à négocier des accords mettant l’accent sur le reclassement des salariés licenciés plutôt que sur l’indemnisation financière. Pourtant, l’octroi d’indemnités supra-légales semble bien inscrit dans les pratiques des entreprises françaises. Cet article tente d’identifier les conditions ou, plus précisément, les combinaisons de conditions qui conduisent à l’octroi d’indemnités supra-légales. Pour cela, nous avons mené une analyse qualitative comparée (Crisp set QCA) de 20 cas de restructurations ayant eu lieu en France au cours de la décennie 2000. Les résultats montrent que les indemnités de licenciement sont conditionnées par deux dimensions principales du contexte économique et social dans lequel se déroulent les suppressions d’emplois. D’une part, l’instauration d’un rapport de force favorable aux salariés est nécessaire. Celui-ci dépend soit de la disponibilité de ressources financières, so...

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“…The first limitation is based on the fact that QCA involves dichotomization of data for both the conditions and outcome based on (in most cases) arbitrarily established thresholds; and so, it appears to be a simplification of data which leads to unnecessary loss of information (Bollen, Entwisle, & Alderson, 1993;Goldthorpe, 1997;Rihoux, 2003). However, it is argued that simplification of data through dichotomization helps in the understanding of complexity in comparative social studies (Rihoux, 2003).…”

Section: Limitations Of Qcamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the fact that any empirical scientific inquiry (qualitative, quantitative or both) necessarily involves some kind of simplification (King, et al, 1994), dichotomization needs to be as much as possible theoretically-informed and in any case, researcher may attempt employing QCA first and then fuzzy sets and compare the results. This can be useful in reducing oversimplification of data and loss of information (Rihoux, 2003).…”

Section: Limitations Of Qcamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is argued that simplification of data through dichotomization helps in the understanding of complexity in comparative social studies (Rihoux, 2003). Despite the fact that any empirical scientific inquiry (qualitative, quantitative or both) necessarily involves some kind of simplification (King, et al, 1994), dichotomization needs to be as much as possible theoretically-informed and in any case, researcher may attempt employing QCA first and then fuzzy sets and compare the results.…”

Section: Limitations Of Qcamentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Qualitative-Quantitative ‘Disparities’ in Social Science Research: What Does Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) Brings in to Bridge the Gap?

Masue¹,

Swai²,

Anasel³

2013

ASS

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There are explicit methodological tensions among researchers in the qualitative and quantitative tracks of social science research. In this paper, (1) we highlight the tensions by making a comparison of the two traditions in terms of their ontological and epistemological paradigms, strengths and weaknesses. Then, (2) we examine the possibility of mediating the methodological tensions through the use of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) methodology. Our conclusions are that (1) both qualitative and quantitative research traditions are equally scientific and relevant to the social science research, and so, choice can be made to use either of the two approaches or combine them depending on the nature and purpose of the study. We also argue (2) that although the attempt to resolve the qualitative-quantitative tensions through QCA methodology is promising, QCA should not be regarded as a competing but a complementary approach to the two.

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Bridging the Gap between the Qualitative and Quantitative Worlds? A Retrospective and Prospective View on Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Cited by 108 publications

References 34 publications

Set Relations in Social Research: Evaluating Their Consistency and Coverage

Set Relations in Social Research: Evaluating Their Consistency and Coverage

Understanding the Pathways to Above-Mandatory Severance Pay When Downsizing: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of 20 Cases in France

The Qualitative-Quantitative ‘Disparities’ in Social Science Research: What Does Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) Brings in to Bridge the Gap?

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