Year: 2003
Type: report
Abstract: This paper examines possibilities for drawing causal inferences in comparative analyses based on 'fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis' (fs/QCA).We argue that if causality is assumed to be complex -i.e.causal effects are not necessarily linear, additive, and unifinal -then fs/QCA is a more appropriate methodological tool for developing context-sensitive but generalisable theories than are both standard statistical techniques and (comparative) case studies.We develop our 'two-step fs/QCA approach' as an innovative way to apply fs/QCA.It is based both on deductive and inductive reasoning, aims to merge distant and close causal conditions and, thus, leads to middle-range theories.In order to illustrate our methodological approach, we revert to examples taken from the consolidation of democracy literature.
Authors: Carsten Q. Schneider, Claudius Wagemann
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2147438547