Set-Theoretic Methods for the Social Sciences: A Guide to Qualitative Comparative AnalysisQualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and other set-theoretic methods distinguish themselves from other approaches to the study of social phenomena by using sets and the search for set relations. In virtually all social science fields, statements about social phenomena can be framed in terms of set relations, and using set-theoretic methods to investigate these statements is therefore highly valuable. This book guides readers through the basic principles of set theory and then on to the applied practices of QCA. It provides a thorough understanding of basic and advanced issues in set-theoretic methods together with tricks of the trade, software handling and exercises. Most arguments are introduced using examples from existing research. The use of QCA is increasing rapidly and the application of set-theory is both fruitful and still widely misunderstood in current empirical comparative social research. This book provides the comprehensive guide to these methods for researchers across the social sciences. |
Contents
Qualitative Comparative Analysis as a settheoretic | 3 |
Plan of the book | 9 |
Sets set membership and calibration 23 | 16 |
Notions and operations in set theory 42 | 13 |
Set relations 56 | 2 |
Truth tables 91 | 15 |
of the outcome 112 | 13 |
Parameters of fit 119 | 20 |
Potential pitfalls in the Standard Analysis procedure and suggestions | 14 |
Potential pitfalls in the analysis of necessity and sufficiency | 21 |
of trivialness 233 | 9 |
Variants of QCA as a technique meet QCA as an approach 251 | 2 |
Data analysis technique meets settheoretic approach 275 | 1 |
Looking back looking ahead 313 | |
Glossary 322 | |
Bibliography 336 | |
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Common terms and phrases
analysis of necessity analytic At-a-glance Boolean calibration case’s membership causal complexity Chapter combinations concept conjunction conservative solution consistency and coverage consistency threshold consistency value crisp sets csQCA data matrix defined definition denotes deviant directional expectations display easy counterfactuals empirical evidence equifinality example find findings first fsQCA fuzzy sets fuzzy-set membership scores Goertz impossible remainders inconsistent intersection limited diversity logical minimization logical remainders logically possible logically redundant Mahoney main diagonal multi-value mvQCA necessary conditions notion outcome parameters of fit parsimonious solution term present prime implicants qualitative anchor qualitatively different Ragin raw consistency relevant Rihoux sequences set membership set relations set theory set-membership scores set-theoretic methods simplifying assumptions simply single conditions social science solution formula specific statement of necessity strategy sufficient condition sufficient conditions suflicient SUIN superset theoretical tions true logical Truth Table Algorithm truth table rows unique coverage untenable assumptions variables Venn diagram within-case XY plot