Mixed Method Research - Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject Business economics - General grade: Sehr Gut Vienna University of Economics and Business (Europainstitut) course: Qualitative Methoden language: English abstract: Traditionally most social researchers either employ purely qualitative or quantitative methods even though a mixed method strategy may promise better results. The present paper introduces Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) as a mixed method alternative for data analysis. It may be of particular value when dealing with small-n case studies which typically do not permit profound statistical testing. QCA enables researchers to filter those variables or combinations of variables that empirically result in (and possibly explain) a certain outcome. As such the method can also be used to analyze the impact of social networks on companies' innovation performance and promises valuable new insights in the field.