This chapter makes the case that the tools of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) can help policymakers make better decisions. I show that QCA is an accessible method. It takes everyday logic that many people already use when making decisions based on competing evidence, uses simple tools to extend the available evidence base and allows us to draw more systematic conclusions about the effects of action in different contexts.

QCA is a method of reviewing and comparing evidence whose influence has grown steadily in the academy over the last 30 years. Despite previous advocacy and proof of concept (see Rihoux et al, 2011; Blackman, 2013; Blackman et al, 2013), QCA's potential for policy making is yet to be realised. Most academic introductions to QCA of which I am aware start with a consideration of its approach to examining the social world and try to differentiate it from ‘mainstream’ or ‘traditional’ methods and assumptions by introducing a whole new set of nomenclature. Instead, I am going to start by providing a practical how-to guide that follows a very basic example of QCA from my own research. My hope is that this will help orientate the reader and convince them to read on. I then consider some of the challenges that regularly face practical policy decisions, and explain how they may suffer from certain biases in the collection and analysis of relevant information, and where QCA can help. I discuss some of the known limitations of the method and how they can be addressed before offering some concluding thoughts on how QCA ought to contribute to information-gathering and decision-making as an important part of a broader complementary toolkit.

How to dance qualitative comparative analysis – the basic Steps

In this section, I want to use an example to run through a rough-andready QCA. Methodology-wonks reading this might wince at the thought of describing a ‘rough-and-ready’ version of a method that is supposed to trade on sophistication and nuance. QCA enthusiasts might feel especially sensitive as the method has come under increasing (and, in my view, very welcome) scrutiny as its influence has grown.