ESCP Europe

Professor Ragin proposes a synthetic new strategy, based on an application of Boolean algebra, that will combine the strengths of both qualitative and quantitative sociology. Elegantly accessible and germane to the work of all the social sciences, this book will garner interest, debate, and praise from many quarters.

Table of Contents -- 1 The Distinctiveness of Comparative Social Science -- 2 Heterogeneity and Causal Complexity -- 3 Case-Oriented Comparative Methods -- 4 The Variable-Oriented Approach -- 5 Combined Versus Synthetic Comparative Strategies -- 6 A Boolean Approach to Qualitative Comparison: Basic Concepts -- 7 Extensions of Boolean Methods of Qualitative Comparison -- 8 Applications of Boolean Methods of Qualitative Comparison-- 9 The Dialogue of Ideas and Evidence in Social Research Bibliography Index.