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Comparative Research Designs and Methods
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 10 hours
  • Course by Università di Napoli Federico II
  • Offered by

About

Emile Durkheim, one of the founders of modern empirical social science, once stated that the comparative method is the only one that suits the social sciences. But Descartes already had reminded us that “comparaison n’est pas raison”, which means that comparison is not reason (or theory) by itself. This course provides an introduction and overview of systematic comparative analyses in the social sciences and shows how to employ this method for constructive explanation and theory building. It begins with comparisons of very few cases and specific “most similar” and “most different” research designs. A major part is then devoted to the often occurring situation of dealing with a small number of highly complex cases, for example when comparing EU member states. Latin American political systems, or particular policy areas. In response to this complexity, new approaches and software have been developed in recent years (“Qualitative Comparative Analysis”, QCA, and related methods). These procedures are able to reduce complexity and to arrive at “configurational” solutions based on set theory and Boolean algebra, which are more meaningful in this context than the usual broad-based statistical methods. In the last section, these methods are contrasted with more common statistical comparative methods at the macro-level of states or societies and the respective strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Some basic quantitative or qualitative methodological training is probably useful to get more out of the course, but participants with little methodological training should find no major obstacles to follow.

Modules

Epistemological foundations of the social sciences

    • 3 Videos
    • 6 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Epistemological foundations of the social sciences

3 Videos

  • Multi-dimensional substance matter
  • The plastic matter of social sciences
  • Linking levels of analysis

6 Readings

  • Three Fundamental notions
  • Multi-dimensional substance matter
  • The plastic matter of social sciences
  • Qualitative Comparative Analysis
  • Linking levels of analysis
  • Coleman's "bathtub"

Mill‘s canons

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Mill's canon

3 Videos

  • Mill's canons
  • Mill‘s methods: Pop's Seafood Platter
  • Mill's methods: limitations

4 Readings

  • Mill's canons
  • Pop's Seafood Platter
  • Mill's limitations
  • Mill's methods and recent advances

Further Advances, Comparative Research Designs

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Further Advances, Comparative Research Designs

3 Videos

  • Further advances
  • Overview
  • Major steps of research process

3 Readings

  • Further advances
  • Overview of comparative research designs
  • Major steps of research process

Most similar and most different designs. Matching and contrasting of cases

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Most similar and most different designs

3 Videos

  • MSDO/MDSO application
  • Operationalizing similarities and dissimilarities
  • Analysis and interpretation

3 Readings

  • Selection of variables and cases
  • Operationalizing similarities and dissimilarities
  • Analysis and interpretation

Introduction to Boolean Algebra, main steps of QCA

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Introduction to Boolean Algebra, main steps of QCA

3 Videos

  • QCA Basics
  • QCA Analysis
  • Simple paper and pencil example

4 Readings

  • QCA Basics
  • QCA Analysis pt.1
  • QCA Analysis pt.2
  • Simple paper and pencil example

QCA applications, troubleshooting, Multi-Value QCA (mv-QCA)

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: QCA applications, troubleshooting, Multi-Value QCA (mv-QCA)

3 Videos

  • Troubleshooting Contradictions
  • Threshold setting, necessary and sufficient conditions
  • Multi-Value QCA (mv-QCA)

3 Readings

  • Troubleshooting Contradictions (C)
  • Threshold setting, necessary and sufficient conditions
  • Multi-Value QCA (mv-QCA)

Fuzzy set analyses, basic features

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Fuzzy set analyses, basic features

3 Videos

  • Fuzzy sets
  • Calculation of necessary and sufficient conditions
  • Fuzzy sets. Relationship between condition and outcome as in a triangular scatterplot

3 Readings

  • Fuzzy sets
  • Calculation of necessary and sufficient conditions
  • Fuzzy sets. Relationship between condition and outcome as in a triangular scatterplot

Fuzzy set applications (FS/QCA)

    • 3 Videos
    • 4 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Fuzzy set applications (fs/qca)

3 Videos

  • Principles
  • Lipset's conditions
  • Conclusions

4 Readings

  • Principles
  • Cases
  • Examples
  • Conclusions

Macro-quantitative (statistical) methods and regression analysis

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Macro-quantitative (statistical) Methods

3 Videos

  • Data
  • Examples
  • Regression analysis

3 Readings

  • Data
  • Examples
  • Regression analysis

Conclusions and Perspectives

    • 3 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Assignment
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1 Assignment

  • Challenge yourself: Conclusions and Perspectives

3 Videos

  • Summary
  • Contrasting macro qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Continuing debates: prospects

3 Readings

  • Summary
  • Contrasting macro qualitative and quantitative methods
  • Continuing debates, prospects

Auto Summary

Explore the foundations of Comparative Research Designs and Methods with this engaging course focused on systematic comparative analyses in social sciences. Guided by expert instructors, delve into “most similar” and “most different” research designs, tackle complex cases, and learn innovative approaches like Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Perfect for learners with basic methodological training, the course offers a comprehensive 600-minute duration with subscription options like Starter and Professional. Ideal for those seeking to build constructive explanations and theories in personal development within social sciences.

Dirk Berg Schlosser
Instructor

Dirk Berg Schlosser