Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Public Policy

The method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) was first introduced by Ragin and then applied in the various disciplines of social sciences by many scholars to explain their interested outcomes. This methodology is important because it has adopted characteristics from both quantitative and qualitative approaches; in fact, it is simultaneously variable-oriented and case-oriented, so the researcher can do causal research as well as gather some in-depth historical information on each case. In this article, at first, the mentioned method and its different types is reviewed. Then, the public policy researches conducted by Qualitative Comparative Analysis are classified into public policy fields, policy and politics, policy process, policy analysis and evaluation, and policy implementation. In fact, the purpose of this article is to introduce a method for an outcome explanation to policy scholars and policy makers, in order to apply it as well as other common methods. Certainly, scholars could find other applications of Qualitative Comparative Analysis in addition to the reviewed ones.