scholarly journals Applying and Assessing Large-N QCA: Causality and Robustness From a Critical Realist Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 004912412091495
Author(s):  
Roel Rutten
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Large N ◽  
Realist Perspective ◽  
Case Based

Applying qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to large Ns relaxes researchers’ case-based knowledge. This is problematic because causality in QCA is inferred from a dialogue between empirical, theoretical, and case-based knowledge. The lack of case-based knowledge may be remedied by various robustness tests. However, being a case-based method, QCA is designed to be sensitive to such tests, meaning that also large- N QCA robustness tests must be evaluated against substantive knowledge. This article connects QCA’s substantive-interpretation approach of causality to critical realism. From that perspective, it identifies relevant robustness tests and applies them to a real-data large- N QCA study. Robustness test findings are visualized in a robustness table, and this article develops criteria to substantively interpret them. The robustness table is introduced as a tool to substantiate the validity of causal claims in large- N QCA studies.

The SoSM Revisited-A Critical Realist Perspective

2011 ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Defining System ◽  
Emancipatory Practice ◽  
Framework System ◽  
Realist Perspective

The chapter revisits the System of System Methodologies (SoSM) and suggests that use of the SoSM as a framework for defining methodological assumptions is difficult when the concerned methodologies have significantly different meanings for one axis of the framework—“system” complexity. It is suggested that the purpose of the underlying system can provide a more appropriate frame for defining system approaches—such purpose being defined as interaction or transformation (Mathiassen & Nielsen, 2000). The chapter also uses aspects of critical realism to provide insights into the SoSM and the critical theory underpinning the framework. The SoSM helped to highlight the neglect of coercive situations and ultimately helped prompt the development of critical systems theory which is focused on three basic commitments, critical awareness, methodological pluralism, and emancipation. Maru and Woodford (2001) recently argue that the focus on emancipation has been relegated due to a concentration on pluralism. This chapter suggests that this is a logical outcome of the epistemological focus of the underlying critical theory of Habermas. The Habermas focus on the epistemological or knowledge-based aspects of the development process must necessarily relegate the importance of ontological matters such as the conditions necessary for emancipatory practice. This chapter proposes that the philosophy of critical realism has insights to offer through its highlighting of the ontological issues in more detail and in arguing for a recognition of the deep structures and mechanisms involved in social situations.

scholarly journals The Effects of Institution-Driven Entrepreneurial Education in Chinese Universities: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongzhi Liu ◽  
Yuxin Huo ◽  
Jing He ◽  
Dun Zuo ◽  
Zhiqiang Qiu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽  
Entrepreneurship Education ◽  
Entrepreneurial Education ◽  
Teaching Team ◽  
Team Design ◽  
Education Performance ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Case Based

Purpose: This study aims to explore the effects of entrepreneurship education by examining the influences of the curriculum system, teaching team, design of practical programs, and the institutional systems on universities’ entrepreneurial education performance.Design/Methodology/Approach: This paper employs a case-based approach—Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Data were collected from 12 universities that were typical cases in the implementation of entrepreneurial education. The four dimensions of entrepreneurship education are applied as conditional indicators. fsQCA3.0 software is used to analyze the necessary conditions and condition combination of the truth table.Findings: There are three sets of condition combinations of the intermediate solution that results in a high level of entrepreneurial education performance: (1) when the credit ratio of entrepreneurship courses is higher and there are more practical platform platforms, even if the entrepreneurship education system and mechanism is less mature, the level of entrepreneurial education performance is high; (2) with a higher credit ratio of entrepreneurship courses, higher quality of teaching teams, and higher standard of practical platforms, the level of entrepreneurial education performance is high; (3) with a higher level of credit ratio of entrepreneurship courses and more practical platforms, as well as mature entrepreneurship education system and mechanism, even if the quality of the teaching team is lower, the level of entrepreneurial education performance is satisfied.Research Limitations/Implications: The dimensions of entrepreneurship education can be expanded; additionally, given that there are many other factors affecting entrepreneurial performance, it is necessary to identify and integrate other possible factors on an ongoing basis.Practical Implications: This study offers practical implications for universities and policy makers that can promote the transformation of theoretical knowledge into practice in the field of entrepreneurship in colleges and universities.Social Implications: This study is one of the first to empirically examine the effect of institutional-driven entrepreneurship education in developing countries. The enhancement of entrepreneurship education can benefit the development of individuals and schools, and even has a potential impact on the progress of the country and society as a whole.Originality/Value: This study emphasizes the significance of viewing the entrepreneurial education as a multi-dimensional concept by targeting different kinds of players. Furthermore, it employs a case-based approach to identify configurations of the antecedent attributes of the curriculum system, teaching team, design of practical programs, and the institutional systems, and their influence on universities’ entrepreneurial education performance.

scholarly journals A critical realist approach to systems thinking in evaluation

Evaluation ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 135638902110646
Author(s):  
Denise E. De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Work Program ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Closed Systems ◽  
Realist Perspective

Pawson and Tilley’s acknowledgment of programs embedded in multiple social systems has gained little traction in realist synthesis and evaluation practice. A practice focusing on fairly closed systems—explaining how programs work and do not work—has emerged. This article negotiates the boundaries of knowledge pertinent to have in program design and evaluation from a realist perspective. It highlights critical realism as another possible response to systems thinking in evaluation. Moving one level up a program, it theorizes about social structures, mechanisms, and causes operating in a complex system within which an education-to-work program is nested. Three implications of the approach are highlighted: it foregrounds the relational nature of social, psychological, and programmatic structures and mechanisms; enables policymakers to develop a broader understanding of structures needed to support a program; and enables program architects to ascertain how a planned program might assimilate and adapt to social structures and mechanisms already established in a context.

scholarly journals A Critical Realist Perspective on Decisions Involving Risk and Uncertainty

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Ranyard
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Observational Methods ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Shared Reality ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Experimental Process ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Realist Perspective ◽  
Decision Research

Abstract The relevance to decision research of recent advances in the philosophy of social science is considered. The critical realism of Roy Bhaskar argues for the identification of contextually contingent explanatory mechanisms at multiple levels based on concepts grounded in intersubjectively shared reality. Using examples from the author’s and other’s research on the psychology of decisions involving risk and uncertainty, this paper explores the implications of taking a critical realist approach. It is argued that critical realism has the potential to advance and unify disparate experimental and naturalistic lines of research. Furthermore, a diverse range of experimental, process-tracing and observational methods can play important complementary roles in developing fruitful critical realist explanations of decisions involving risk and uncertainty

Theoretical triangulation and pluralism in accounting research: a critical realist critique

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 1138-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Modell
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Theoretical Pluralism ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Knowledge Claims ◽  
Realist Perspective

Purpose – This is a rejoinder to Hoque et al. (2013) previously published in this journal. The purpose of this paper is to further elucidate and extend some of their key arguments related to the use of theoretical triangulation in accounting research. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual discussion focusing on how the understanding of the notion of theoretical triangulation can be enhanced from a critical realist perspective. Findings – The author draws attention to some ambiguities in Hoque et al.’s (2013) reasoning and advance a critique of their rather under-developed conceptions of the relationship between ontology and epistemology, the epistemic premises influencing the choice of theories and the role of theories in conditioning empirical observations and scholarly knowledge claims. To address these issues the author advances a critical realist approach and discusses its implications for theoretical triangulation in accounting research. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the ongoing debate about theoretical pluralism in accounting research by explicating how critical realism may further such pluralism and the inter-disciplinary accounting research project more generally.

scholarly journals Komparation i kritisk realistisk perspektiv

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-28
Author(s):  
Peter Wad
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Social Science ◽  
Inductive Logic ◽  
Comparative Political Economy ◽  
Comparative Sociology ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Comparative Methodology ◽  
Science Philosophy ◽  
Realist Perspective

Comparison in a critical realist perspective With the rise of critical realist social science, time has come to ask whether this approach can enhance comparative methodology in sociology. This article contends that although critical realist sociologists argue in favour of comparative studies, they are yet to formulate a genuine comparative methodology (paradox 1). They refer to the comparative tradition without scrutinizing it from a critical realist perspective. When such an assessment is made of core comparative methodologies, the conclusion is that postwar comparative sociology has serious methodological flaws which are rooted in Mill’s inductive logic from 1843 and modern empirical-analytical science philosophy (paradox 2). However, a closer examination of Charles Ragin’s quali-tative comparative analysis and Thomas Janoski & Alexander M. Hicks’ new comparative political economy indicates that it is possible to develop a substantial and complex comparative methodology from these contri-butions and even to address the enhanced ’Dalton Problem’ of our time: globalisation. The conclusion is that a pertinent and critical realist comparative methodology can emerge from the contemporary stream of comparative sociology.

scholarly journals Using critical realism and reflexivity to explain broadband non-adoption in rural Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Dobson ◽  
Paul Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Satellite Networks ◽  
Social Program ◽  
Technical Program ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Program Adoption ◽  
Fixed Line ◽  
Line Network ◽  
Rural Australia ◽  
Realist Perspective

Australia is conducting a substantial nationwide provision of broadband. It is primarily a fixed line network but includes wireless and satellite networks in more remote areas. The rollout is under the control of the NBN Co, whose goal is ensuring access to fast broadband for all Australians. The NBN Co has recently recognized the importance of adoption by including premises activated as a KPI alongside service provision. Coverage and adoption reflect the two faces of the NBN rollout – as a technical program and as a social program. Adoption will be the ultimate measure of the success of the NBN as a social program. Ubiquitous Internet adoption across all sectors is necessary to maximize the promised benefits. The adoption of broadband is an important first step in achieving this. International experience suggests that broadband adoption is plateauing and this has prompted our proposal that there needs to be focus on non-adoption rather than adoption. We suggest that it is important to be able to explain the mechanisms by which individuals respond to the promise of the Internet. Only by so doing can we address issues. We contend that there needs to be more focus on those disenchanted or disinterested “non-users” who are never likely to adopt without specific targeted strategies. We argue for a critical realist perspective, more particularly reflexivity, to better represent the adoption context and to provide a grounding for explanations of the causes behind the decision not to adopt. We also propose possible common-sense strategies to reverse non-adoption.

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