QCA and Causal Inference: A Poor Match for Public Policy Research

Qualitative & Multi-Method Research, 12(1), 15-24

10 Pages Posted: 24 Jan 2015

See all articles by Sean Tanner

Sean Tanner

University of California, Berkeley

Date Written: 2014

Abstract

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) offers distinctive research tools that, according to its practitioners, yield a productive solution to many problems and limitations of conventional quantitative methods. This article analyzes the contributions of QCA to policy evaluation vis-a-vis standard means for obtaining for causal inference and finds the method lacking.

Keywords: Causal Inference, Public Policy, Qualitative Methods, Quantitative Methods

JEL Classification: C00, C10, C18

Suggested Citation

Tanner, Sean, QCA and Causal Inference: A Poor Match for Public Policy Research (2014). Qualitative & Multi-Method Research, 12(1), 15-24, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2553988

Sean Tanner (Contact Author)

University of California, Berkeley ( email )

310 Barrows Hall
Berkeley, CA 94720
United States

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