Qualitative comparative analysis – A rigorous qualitative method for assessing impact

This guide, written by Carrie Baptist and Barbara Befani for Coffey, provides an outline of the use of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and includes a case study of its use in the evaluation of a major programme.

The paper also emphasises the requirements for using QCA and details a step by step guide for implementing the process as part of an evaluation. 

Excerpt

"As a comparative method, QCA doesn’t work with a single case – it needs to compare factors at work across a number of cases in order to tease out which factors are most important for a given outcome. However, when done correctly the findings generated using QCA are generalizable: insights from one context or project can be transferred to another. QCA is also a rigorous method in that – when the analysis process is made transparent – it can be replicated by anyone and produce the same findings.

To put it a bit more technically, QCA is potentially strong on both external and internal validity while still being a qualitative method: it works with social concepts, constructs and narratives."

Contents

• What is Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and what can it do?
• Testing Theories of Change and engaging with complexity
• How has it been used to-date?
• What does QCA require?
• Limitations of QCA
• The QCA process: Step by step