Tolerance in QCA: moving debates on design, calibration, analysis, and interpretation in QCA forward in macrocomparative resarch

ABSTRACT

This paper argues for three aspects of tolerance with respect to QCA research: tolerance with respect to different approaches to QCA; producing QCA research with tolerance (work that is resistant to criticism); and for QCA researchers to be clear about the tolerance of the solutions they present – especially in terms of calibration and truth table construction. Giving examples that are based on macrocomparative research, the paper organises its structure around how this approach would apply in terms of QCA research design, calibration, analysis, and interpretation, presenting the dilemmas that can result at each stage, along with the choices they require of researchers. It concludes by advocating for greater acceptance of different approaches to QCA (‘perspectivalism’) but also being clear about what researchers using it should expect from one another in producing high-quality research.

KEYWORDS:

• QCA
• Qualitative comparative analysis
• calibration
• analysis
• interpretation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ian Greener

Ian Greener is Professor of Applied Social Science and Head of School at the School of Social Science, University of Aberdeen. He has published several books and articles using Qualitative Comparative Analysis, and his research is especially focussed on comparative health and welfare systems.