A Boolean Approach to Qualitative Comparison

This workshop began with a presentation of the realist conception of the nature of cases as this relates to Ragin's proposal that we consider cases as 'configurations'. We then proceeded to an exposition of Ragin's fuzzy set method and a training workshop in the application of the method using examples drawn from our own work. Next we asked particular participants (briefed in advance of the workshop) to present reflections on how the approaches might be useful in their own work. Finally we had a buzz group (small groups of four working together) and report back plenary discussion of the approaches and their application. All discussion were recorded and processed interpretatively using NVIVO as the basis of our report on the workshop.