Qualitative comparative analysis

Patrick A. Mello

doi:10.4324/9781003139850-29

Qualitative comparative analysis

Patrick A. Mello^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is a set-theoretic comparative method that treats cases as configurations of conditions, aiming to identify those conditions and/or combinations that are necessary and/or sufficient for an outcome. This chapter opens with a review of how the method has been applied empirically in the fields of Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) and International Relations (IR). This is followed by an introduction to the method’s assumptions and key terminology. The third part provides an illustration of how QCA works in practice, drawing on a published study. The chapter closes with a discussion of the method’s strengths and limitations, together with recommendations on how to avoid frequently encountered mistakes.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Routledge Handbook of Foreign Policy Analysis Methods
Editors	Patrick A. Mello, Falk Ostermann
Place of Publication	London and New York
Publisher	Routledge
Chapter	24
Pages	385-402
Number of pages	18
ISBN (Electronic)	9781000816716, 9781003139850
ISBN (Print)	9780367689766
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003139850-29
Publication status	Published - 2023

Keywords

research methods
qualitative comparative analysis
set-theoretic methods
Boolean algebra
set theory
qualitative analysis
foreign policy analysis
QCA

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10.4324/9781003139850-29

Qualitative comparative analysisFinal published version, 258 KBLicence: Article 25fa Dutch Copyright Act

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Qualitative comparative analysis

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