Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) is an increasingly popular analytic strategy, with applications to numerous empirical fields. This article briefly discusses the substantive motivation and technical details of qca, as well as fuzzy-set qca, followed by an in-depth discussion of how the new program fuzzy performs these techniques in Stata. An empirical example is presented that demonstrates the full suite of tools contained within fuzzy, including creating configurations, performing a series of statistical tests of the configurations, and reducing the identified configurations.
BachmanJ. G., and SchulenbergJ. E.1993. How part-time work intensity relates to drug use, problem behavior, time use, and satisfaction among high school seniors: Are these consequences or merely correlates?Developmental Psychology29: 220–235.
2.
GreckhamerT., MisangyiV. F., ElmsH., and LaceyR.2007. Using Qualitative Comparative Analysis in Strategic Management Research: An Examination of Combinations of Industry, Corporate, and Business-unit Effects. Organizational Research Methods OnlineFirst1–32.
3.
KallebergA. L., and VaiseyS.2005. Pathways to a good job: Perceived work quality among the machinists in North America. British Journal of Industrial Relations43: 431–454.
4.
LinN., and EnselW. M.1989. Life stress and health: Stressors and resources. American Sociological Review54: 382–399.
5.
LongestK. C., and ThoitsP.2007. The stress process and physical health: A config-urational approach. Paper presented at the American Sociological Annual Meeting.
6.
MahoneyJ.2003. Long-run development and the legacy of colonialism in Spanish America. American Journal of Sociology109: 50–106.
7.
PaschallM. J., RingwaltC., and FlewellingR. L.2002. Explaining higher levels of alcohol use among working adolescents: An analysis of potential explanatory variables. Journal of Studies on Alcohol63: 169–178.
8.
RaginC.2000. Fuzzy-Set Social Science.Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
9.
RaginC.2006. Set relations in social research: Evaluating the consistency and coverage. Political Analysis14: 291–310.
10.
RaginC.2008. Fuzzy set analysis: Calibration versus measurement. In Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology, ed. Box-SteffensmeierJ., BradyH., and CollierD.Oxford: Oxford University Press.
11.
RaginC. C.1987. The Comparative Method: Moving Beyond Qualitative and Quantitative Strategies.Berkeley: University of California Press.
12.
RoscignoV. J., and HodsonR.2004. The organizational and social foundations of worker resistance. American Sociological Review69: 14–39.
13.
SafronD. J., SchulenbergJ. E., and BachmanJ. G.2001. Part-time work and hurried adolescence: The links among work intensity, social activities, health behaviors, and substance use. Journal of Health and Social Behavior42: 425–449.
14.
SchuitA. J., Van LoonA. J. M., TijhuisM., and OckéM. C.2002. Clustering of lifestyle risk factors in a general adult population. Preventive Medicine35: 219–224.
15.
ShanahanM. J., EriksonL. D., VaiseyS., and SmolenA.2007. Helping relationships and genetic propensities: A combinatoric study of DRD2, mentoring, and educational continuation. Twin Research and Human Genetics10: 285–298.
16.
SmithC., and DentonM. L.2003. Methodological design and procedures for the National Study of Youth and Religion. Technical report, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.http://www.youthandreligion.org/.
17.
SmithsonM., and VerkuilenJ.2006. Fuzzy Set Theory: Applications in the Social Sciences.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
18.
ThoitsP. A.1995. Stress, coping, and social support processes: Where are we? What next?Journal of Health and Social Behavior35: 53–79.
19.
VaiseyS.2007. Culture, structure, and community: The search for belonging in 50 urban communes. American Sociological Review72: 851–873.
