Qualitative Comparative Analysis Using R

Abstract

A comprehensive introduction and teaching resource for state-of-the-art Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) using R software. This guide facilitates the efficient teaching, independent learning, and use of QCA with the best available software, reducing the time and effort required when encountering not just the logic of a new method, but also new software. With its applied and practical focus, the book offers a genuinely simple and intuitive resource for implementing the most complete protocol of QCA. To make the lives of students, teachers, researchers, and practitioners as easy as possible, the book includes learning goals, core points, empirical examples, and tips for good practices. The freely available online material provides a rich body of additional resources to aid users in their learning process. Beyond performing core analyses with the R package QCA, the book also facilitates a close integration with the R package SetMethods allowing for a host of additional protocols for building a more solid and well-rounded QCA.

Identifying diverse paths toward successful policy performance in Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD) and European Union countries: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) exploitation of the Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI) data

“…For the analysis of single necessary conditions, we have set the values of consistency at 0.9 and coverage and relevance at 80%; whereas for the analysis of SUIN conditions (based on the ESA truth table), we have placed the threshold at 70% for coverage and RoN. These criteria are also combined with case‐based knowledge and evaluation of deviant cases (Oana et al, 2021). As only a few of the 41 cases are deviant consistency cases, and as we do not have theoretical grounds for which conditions or cases to include or not, we have selected all the SUIN conditions as necessary for a successful ECP.…”

Incentives and constraints: a configurational account of European involvement in the anti-Daesh coalition

“…This means that the results are robust, irrespective of which type of set is chosen. In line with good practices of calibration (Skaaning, 2011;Duşa, 2019;Mello, 2021;Oana et al, 2021), I also report the calibration ranges within which the results of the set-theoretic analysis do not change. The SetMethods package for R provides a function to conduct such a test (Oana and Schneider, 2018;Oana et al, 2021), the results of which are reported in Table A1.…”

“…In line with good practices of calibration (Skaaning, 2011;Duşa, 2019;Mello, 2021;Oana et al, 2021), I also report the calibration ranges within which the results of the set-theoretic analysis do not change. The SetMethods package for R provides a function to conduct such a test (Oana and Schneider, 2018;Oana et al, 2021), the results of which are reported in Table A1. Other robustness tests concern the coding of the outcome and a restricted model of conditions (see Tables A6 and A7 in the appendix).…”

Cumulative advantages and disadvantages in attainment of higher education: Set-analytic comparison of asymmetric inequalities in six European countries

“…However, there are combinations in both, analyses of advantages and disadvantages, that turn out to be necessary. However, the literature (Oana et al, 2021) emphasizes that in analyzing necessary conditions in addition to consistencies, the empirical relevancy must be considered (measures of coverage and relevance in Table 2) in interpretation and research practice indicates that a RoN close to 0.5 could be reason for concern (p. 74). From that perspective only one necessary combination from the analysis of disadvantage (strat + stand) meet our expectations of parameters of fit.…”

“…Second, we have many configurations that do not meet our consistency criteria—0.75. Third, in the case of advantages, the presence of decommodification is a necessary component in all three highest consistency score configurations (so called INUS conditions; see Oana et al, 2021).…”