Fuzzy-Set Social Science

by Charles C. Ragin

In this innovative approach to the practice of social science, Charles Ragin explores the use of fuzzy sets to bridge the divide between quantitative and qualitative methods. Paradoxically, the fuzzy set is a powerful tool because it replaces an unwieldy, "fuzzy" instrument—the variable, which establishes only the positions of cases relative to each other, with a precise one—degree of membership in a well-defined set.

Ragin argues that fuzzy sets allow a far richer dialogue between ideas and evidence in social research than previously possible. They let quantitative researchers abandon "homogenizing assumptions" about cases and causes, they extend diversity-oriented research strategies, and they provide a powerful connection between theory and data analysis. Most important, fuzzy sets can be carefully tailored to fit evolving theoretical concepts, sharpening quantitative tools with in-depth knowledge gained through qualitative, case-oriented inquiry. This book will revolutionize research methods not only in sociology, political science, and anthropology but in any field of inquiry dealing with complex patterns of causation.

Genres: Social Science

370 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Ragin invented qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) as a tool for dealing with multiple conjoint causation--intersectionality to use the fashionable term--that is, the intersection of multiple factors results in the observed phenomenon. It is an important tool in the political scientist's and sociologist's arsenal for studying social phenomena in addition to the usual regression methods. It is able to handle interactions without having to a priori specify the interactions as with regression.

This book deals with the application of fuzzy-set logic to QCA, that is set membership has gradations rather than a crisp definition. Male-female is a crisp set. Rich or poor is a fuzzy set. This is an extended dissertation on the value of QCA and the weakness of regression for studying social phenomena, therefore, quantitative researchers beware, you will be put of by Ragin's confrontational tone.

[JF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordy

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ragin elaborates the ideas introduced in The Comparative Method, reconceptualizing truth tables as property spaces. It is a helpful deepening of Ragin's project, but because of repetition, the book is longer than it needs to be. Because methods based on this approach have been removed from fsQCA software, people interested in fsQCA applications will find the later publications Redesigning Social Inquiry and Configurational Comparative Methods more practically helpful.