Set-Theoretic Methods for the Social Sciences

A Guide to Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Erscheinungsjahr 2014
ISBN: 978-1-107-01352-0
Verlag: Cambridge University Press

Buch, Englisch, 367 Seiten, Format (B × H): 175 mm x 250 mm, Gewicht: 817 g

Reihe: Strategies for Social Inquiry

Qualitative 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.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Schneider, Carsten Q.

Wagemann, Claudius

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziologie Allgemein Empirische Sozialforschung, Statistik

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction; Part I. Set-Theoretic Methods: The Basics: 1. Sets, set membership, and calibration; 2. Notions and operations in set theory; 3. Set relations; 4. Truth tables; Part II. Neat Formal Logic Meets Noisy Social Science Data: 5. Parameters of fit; 6. Limited diversity and logical remainders; 7. The truth table algorithm; Part III. Potential Pitfalls and Suggestions for Solutions: 8. Potential pitfalls in the standard analysis procedure and suggestions for improvement; 9. Potential pitfalls in the analysis of necessity and sufficiency and suggestions for avoiding them; Part IV. Variants of QCA as a Technique Meet QCA as an Approach: 10. Variants of QCA; 11. Data analysis technique meets set-theoretic approach; 12. Looking back: looking ahead; Glossary.

Über Autor(innen)

Wagemann, Claudius
Claudius Wagemann is Lecturer in the Doctoral Program in Political Science at the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane (SUM), Florence.

Schneider, Carsten Q.
Carsten Q. Schneider is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Founding Director of the Center for the Study of Imperfections in Democracies at Central European University, Hungary.