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Aggregation Bias and the Analysis of Necessary and Sufficient Conditions in fsQCA

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  • Bear F. Braumoeller

Abstract

Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) has become one of the most prominent methods in the social sciences for capturing causal complexity, especially for scholars with small- and medium- N data sets. This research note explores two key assumptions in fsQCA’s methodology for testing for necessary and sufficient conditions—the cumulation assumption and the triangular data assumption—and argues that, in combination, they produce a form of aggregation bias that has not been recognized in the fsQCA literature. It also offers a straightforward test to help researchers answer the question of whether their findings are plausibly the result of aggregation bias.

Suggested Citation

  • Bear F. Braumoeller, 2017. "Aggregation Bias and the Analysis of Necessary and Sufficient Conditions in fsQCA," Sociological Methods & Research, , vol. 46(2), pages 242-251, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:somere:v:46:y:2017:i:2:p:242-251
    DOI: 10.1177/0049124116672701
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Koenig-Archibugi, Mathias, 2004. "Explaining Government Preferences for Institutional Change in EU Foreign and Security Policy," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 58(1), pages 137-174, February.
    2. Hug, Simon, 2013. "Qualitative Comparative Analysis: How Inductive Use and Measurement Error Lead to Problematic Inference," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(2), pages 252-265, April.
    3. Ragin, Charles C., 2000. "Fuzzy-Set Social Science," University of Chicago Press Economics Books, University of Chicago Press, edition 1, number 9780226702773.
    4. Krogslund, Chris & Choi, Donghyun Danny & Poertner, Mathias, 2015. "Fuzzy Sets on Shaky Ground: Parameter Sensitivity and Confirmation Bias in fsQCA," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(1), pages 21-41, January.
    5. repec:ucp:bkecon:9780226702766 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Braumoeller, Bear F., 2015. "Guarding Against False Positives in Qualitative Comparative Analysis," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 23(4), pages 471-487.
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