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Making the case for qualitative comparative analysis in geographical research: a case study of health resilience

Cairns, J.; Wistow, J.; Bambra, C.

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Authors

J. Cairns

C. Bambra



Abstract

This paper critically discusses the utility of using qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in geographical research following the ‘complexity turn’. Although QCA methodology has increasingly been applied in other social science disciplines, it is not widely used by geographers. The major benefit of QCA is that it can handle complexity by exploring different pathways that generate the same outcome, which applies to much spatial research. Significantly, QCA is case – rather than variable – oriented, which is hugely important when considering the significance of context. In this paper we illustrate how QCA can be applied in the discipline of geography through a case study of area-level health resilience. We argue that QCA can be usefully applied to such geographical questions as it aids our understanding of the complex processes that lead to spatial variations in health. Moreover, QCA enables geographical research to bridge the quantitative–qualitative divide. We conclude that QCA has great potential for exploring the complex, spatial factors that influence area-level health resilience by being context-sensitive and case-oriented. We make the case for applying this methodology in future geographical research.

Citation

Cairns, J., Wistow, J., & Bambra, C. (2017). Making the case for qualitative comparative analysis in geographical research: a case study of health resilience. Area, 49(3), 369-376. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12327

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 1, 2017
Online Publication Date Mar 2, 2017
Publication Date Mar 2, 2017
Deposit Date Mar 14, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Area
Print ISSN 0004-0894
Electronic ISSN 1475-4762
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 49
Issue 3
Pages 369-376
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12327

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Cairns, J. M., Wistow, J. and Bambra, C. (2017), Making the case for qualitative comparative analysis in geographical research: a case study of health resilience. Area, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12327. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.




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