Introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis

online course

Learn the basics of qualitative comparative analysis and how to apply it in your research project.

Need to know

Prior knowledge of social science methodology would be helpful for this course. You are encouraged to come to the course with your own research questions that could potentially be answered with QCA. This will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the course to a relevant and meaningful research project.

In depth

Day 1: Deciding if QCA will work for your research
Learn about QCA as an approach to conduct research. Identify the research questions from your field that could be answered by the approach.

Day 2: Designing your research
Learn the basic steps of designing QCA, with a special focus on measurement and calibration. Specify your analysis and define outcome, conditions, and the data you want to analyse.

Day 3: Analysing your data
Discuss the crucial steps of the QCA as analytical technique: analysis of necessity and sufficiency. You'll learn the standards of proper analysis and main challenges you will encounter in the real-world study.

Day 4: Using the software
Learn about the landscape of available software. Discuss pros and cons of working with GUI software and R packages. The analysis using fs/QCA Software will be showcased and resources for analysis in R will be provided.

Day 5: Wrapping-up the research
Learn how to interpret and communicate the results of the analysis. You will discuss the main critical messages you may encounter while communicating your research to academic and non-academic audience and how to address them.

How the course will work online

You will be expected to actively participate in the class, read recommended literature, and design simple research with the use of qualitative comparative analysis.

The course combines pre-class readings and pre-recorded videos with two hour daily live Zoom sessions. The objective of the sessions will be to discuss the reading and videos and help you in designing your research.

Course leader

Seweryn Krupnik is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Sociology of Economy, Education and Methods of Social Research, Institute of Sociology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland. His research appears in evaluation and energy policy journals.

Target group

Advanced students, researchers, and professional analysts. The course is limited to a maximum of 16 participants, ensuring that the teaching team can address the unique needs of each individual.

Course aim

Upon completion of this course, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of qualitative comparative analysis and how to apply it to a research project within your area of study. This knowledge and practical experience will equip you with valuable skills for conducting in-depth research and analysis in your field.

Credits info

4 EC
You can earn up to four credits for attending this course.
3 ECTS credits – Attend 100% of live sessions and engage fully with class activities.
4 ECTS credits – Attend 100% of live sessions, engage fully with class activities and complete a post-class assignment.

Fee info

GBP 478: ECPR Member
GBP 956: ECPR Non-Member

Scholarships

Funding applications for the 2023 ECPR Summer School in Research Methods and Techniques are now closed.
For more details on funding opportunities for ECPR's other events, please visit our website.