Finding structure in diversity: A stepwise small-N/medium-N qualitative comparative analysis approach for water resources management research

Main author: Mollinga, Peter
Other authors: Gondhalekar, Daphne
Format: Journal Article           
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id eprints-20562
recordtype eprints
institution SOAS, University of London
collection SOAS Research Online
language English
language_search English
description Drawing particularly on recent debates on, and development of, comparative methods in the field of comparative politics, the paper argues that stepwise small-N/medium-N qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) is a particularly suitable methodological approach for water resources studies because it can make use of the rich but fragmented water resources studies literature for accumulation of knowledge and development of theory. It is suggested that taking an explicit critical realist ontological and epistemological stance allows expansion of the scope of stepwise small-N/medium-N QCA beyond what is claimed for it in Ragin’s 'configurational comparative methods (CCM)' perspective for analysing the complexity of causality as 'multiple conjunctural causation'. In addition to explanation of certain sets of 'outcomes' as in CCM’s combinatorial, set-theoretic approach, embedding stepwise small-N/medium-N QCA in a critical realist ontology allows the method to contribute to development of theory on (qualitative differences between) the structures in society that shape water resources use, management and governance.
format Journal Article
author Mollinga, Peter
author_facet Mollinga, Peter
Gondhalekar, Daphne
authorStr Mollinga, Peter
author_letter Mollinga, Peter
author2 Gondhalekar, Daphne
author2Str Gondhalekar, Daphne
title Finding structure in diversity: A stepwise small-N/medium-N qualitative comparative analysis approach for water resources management research
publisher Water Alternatives
publishDate 2014
url https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/20562/