Designed by American sociologist Charles Ragin to handle both qualitative and quantitative data, qualitative comparative analysis is a research method that uses set relations to study social phenomena. The core of the method uses boolean algebra to simplify logical statements to determine the sufficiency and necessity of particular conditions for particular outcomes. 

This four hour introductory workshop is intended for anyone who practices social research or works in fields where complicated mixes of social factors require parsing to determine relevance. The method is applicable across disciplines and to a wide variety of research questions.  The workshop will be part lecture and part hands-on with practical exercises of the basic operations of the technique. Participants will leave intrigued by this method, but will require additional training and study to apply it. 

Darren O'Donnell has a M.Sc. in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto and attended University of Bern's Center of Competence for Public Management, introductory intensive on QCA, taught by Eva Thomann and Fritz Sager.  Darren is a novelist, essayist, playwright, director, designer, performer and Artistic and Research Director of performance company Mammalian Diving Reflex. His books include: Social Acupuncture (2006), which argues for aesthetics of civic engagement and Your Secrets Sleep with Me (2004), a novel about difference, love and the miraculous. His stage-based works include White Mice (1998), [boxhead] (2000), and All the Sex I’ve Ever Had (2012), and Promises to a Divided City (2014).

[image credit: Michael Barker. Acme Art and Design]