Importing set-theoretic tools into quantitative research: the case of necessary and sufficient conditions

James Mahoney () and Andrew Owen
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James Mahoney: Northwestern University
Andrew Owen: Northwestern University

Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, 2022, vol. 56, issue 4, No 7, 2022 pages

Abstract: Abstract In this article, we import set-theoretic methods from the qualitative research tradition into the quantitative research tradition. We focus specifically on set-theoretic methods designed to analyze the extent to which a condition is necessary and is sufficient for an outcome of interest. We use these methods to reanalyze four major studies from the quantitative tradition. We find that set-theoretic methods call attention to asymmetrical patterns in the data that otherwise go unnoticed and unanalyzed. We develop a general set-theoretic framework for the study of necessity and sufficiency. We conclude that the use of this framework can enrich existing and future quantitative research in the social sciences.

Keywords: Mixed methods; Multi-method research; Logic; Causality; Experiments; QCA; Qualitative methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:qualqt:v:56:y:2022:i:4:d:10.1007_s11135-021-01188-6

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DOI: 10.1007/s11135-021-01188-6

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