Master systematic comparative analysis in social sciences. Learn QCA, fuzzy sets, and macro-quantitative methods for research.
Master systematic comparative analysis in social sciences. Learn QCA, fuzzy sets, and macro-quantitative methods for research.
This comprehensive course introduces systematic comparative analysis in social sciences, focusing on constructive explanation and theory building. Led by expert instructor Dirk Berg Schlosser, students learn to employ various comparative methods, from analyzing few cases to handling complex comparisons. The course covers modern approaches like Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and fuzzy sets, along with traditional statistical methods. Special attention is given to comparing complex cases such as EU member states and policy areas. The curriculum balances theoretical understanding with practical applications, making it suitable for researchers at various levels.
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Instructors:
English
English (Original), 日本語 (オート), Français (aut.), 2 more
What you'll learn
Understand fundamental principles of comparative research design
Master Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) techniques
Apply Boolean algebra and fuzzy set analysis
Develop skills in macro-quantitative methods
Learn case selection and research design strategies
Understand modern comparative analysis software tools
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
211 Minutes PreRecorded video
10 assignments
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 5 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to systematic comparative analysis in social sciences. Through five detailed modules, students explore various comparative research methods, from basic designs to advanced analytical techniques. The curriculum covers crucial topics including research design, Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), fuzzy set analysis, and macro-quantitative methods. Students learn to handle both simple and complex comparative cases, using modern software and analytical approaches. The course emphasizes practical application while building theoretical understanding.
An introduction to Comparative Research
Module 1 · 1 Hours to complete
Comparative Research Designs
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
QCA Analysis
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Fuzzy set analyses
Module 4 · 2 Hours to complete
Macro-quantitative (statistical): Methods and perspectives
Module 5 · 2 Hours to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructor
Political Science Scholar and Comparative Politics Expert
Dirk Berg-Schlosser is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Marburg in Germany and currently affiliated with the University of Naples Federico II. He has held significant academic positions, including Director of the Institute of Political Science and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy at Philipps-University, Marburg. His extensive teaching and research experience spans several universities, including those in Munich, Aachen, Augsburg, Nairobi, Stellenbosch, and Berkeley. From 1988 to 2000, he chaired the Research Committee on "Democratization in Comparative Perspective" for the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and served as Chair of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) from 2003 to 2006. He was also Vice-President of IPSA from 2006 to 2009. Berg-Schlosser initiated the IPSA Summer Schools on Research Methods across various global locations and coordinated these schools from 2009 to 2016. His research interests include political culture, empirical democratic theory, development studies, comparative politics, and comparative methodology. He has published extensively in these areas and is a fellow of the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies (STIAS). Additionally, he teaches courses on Comparative Research Designs and Methods, contributing to the academic community's understanding of complex political dynamics.
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