2nd MethodsNET Conference
2025-09-10 - 2025-09-12 | Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (remote participation also possible)
The 2nd MethodsNET Conference is taking place in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium (remote participation also possible), 10-12 September – https://methodsnet.org/conference/2nd-methodsnet-conference/, which also comprises several QCA training options.

20+ short PhD-level training modules, across various formats. You can find the full list on the conference website, here is a short summary, including a QCA track:

Track A: Modeling methods: Quantitative, computational and SNA
Track B: Meaning-making and holistic methods: Qualitative, interpretive, case-based and QCA
Track C: Methodologies and pedagogies: Reflexivity, bias, arts/practice-based, data quality, pedagogy
Track D: Mixed methods

a 1-to-1 ‘Meet the Expert’ session with leading scholars, also QCA experts
Interactive and hands-on sessions designed especially with junior researchers in mind.

To register: (1) if you are not yet a MethodsNET member: join MethodsNET (https://methodsnet.org/become-a-member/ ) to benefit from a major registration fee discount; and then (2) register to the Conference (https://methodsnet.org/conference/2nd-methodsnet-conference/).

13th European QCA Conference 2025 in Kraków, Poland
2025-12-09 - 2025-12-11 | Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
QCA enthusiasts will soon gather at the 13th European QCA Conference 2025 (previously known as the International QCA Workshop) in Kraków, Poland.
Visit the website for details.

EQCA2025 comprises two events:
1. EQCA Paper Development Workshop
Event is organized for researchers working in various domains who seek constructive feedback on their QCA-based projects and papers. The event is open to researchers at any stage of their QCA journey (an early or more advanced).
Call for papers (deadline: 1st October 2025):
2. Expert Workshop
We invite experienced QCA researchers to submit abstracts that focus on methodological development of QCA or a related method.
Call for papers (deadline: 1st October 2025):

We look very much forward to welcoming you to captivating Kraków this winter!

Anna Sławik, Institute of Economics, Finance and Management, Jagiellonian University, anna.slawik@uj.edu.pl
Seweryn Krupnik, Institute of Sociology, Center for Evaluation and Analysis of Public Policies Jagiellonian University, seweryn.krupnik@uj.edu.pl
Aleksandra Rudawska, Institute of Management, University of Szczecin, aleksandra.rudawska@usz.edu.pl

Introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (online)
2026-02-16 - 2026-02-20 | Online
This course will provide you with an interactive online learning environment using advanced pedagogical tools, and is specifically designed for masters level students and above. The course is limited to a maximum of 16 participants, ensuring that the teaching team can address the unique needs of each individual.
Upon completion of this course, you will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of qualitative comparative analysis and how to apply it to a research project within your area of study. This knowledge and practical experience will equip you with valuable skills for conducting in-depth research and analysis in your field.
3 ECTS credits awarded for engaging fully in class activities.
1 additional ECTS credit awarded for completing a post-course assignment.
Instructor: Seweryn Krupnik (Jagiellonian University)

seweryn.krupnik@uj.edu.pl

Konstanz Methods Excellence Workshops: Introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) (Online course)
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27 | Online
This five-day online course introduces Qualitative Comparative Analysis as an approach that enables researchers to model causal complexity by analyzing whether different configurations of conditions are necessary or sufficient for an outcome, relying on technical implementation in R.

Instructors:
Ioana-Elena Oana, European University Institute, Italy
Barbora Valik, Central European University, Austria

Konstanz Methods Excellence Workshops: Advanced Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) (Online course)
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27 | Online
This 5-day online course exposes participants to advanced methodological developments in Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) that allow for further solidifying their results, and enables them to apply state-of-the-art set-theoretic analytic tools in R.
Intructor: Ioana-Elena Oana, European University Institute

Konstanz Methods Excellence Workshops: Comparative Case Study Design (On-Site course)
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27 | University of Konstanz, Universitaetsstrasse 10, Konstanz, 78464, Germany
This five-day in-person course teaches you how to design your qualitative comparative case study research, from defining research questions and concepts to selecting cases, choosing strategies for data collection and analysis, and addressing research-practical issues.
Intructors: Eva Thomann, University of Konstanz, Germany

Konstanz Methods Excellence Workshops: Introduction to Causal Process Tracing (Online course)
2026-02-23 - 2026-02-27 | Online
Taking a hands-on approach, this five-day online course introduces you to the essentials of Process Tracing and develops both the theoretical understanding and the practical skills to set-up and conduct a full-fledged PT-study.
Intructors: Hilde van Meegdenburg, Leiden University, Netherlands

Introduction to Causal Data Analysis & Modeling with Coincidence Analysis
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-11 | University of California, Berkeley School of Social Welfare and the Peder Sather Center, Berkeley, United States
This workshop offers an intensive four-day introduction to causal modeling with Coincidence Analysis (CNA), a novel configurational comparative method of data analysis geared towards causal complexity, which has seen a considerable uptick in applications in recent years (click here for references). No prior knowledge of CNA is required.
In plenary lectures, the main developer of CNA, Michael Baumgartner, and a team of experienced CNA methodologists and practitioners (Drs. Cragun, Freitas, Huang, and Miech) will guide participants through the nuts and bolts of configurational data analysis and cutting-edge methodological innovations, as well as offer advice on practical issues such as getting funded and published with CNA. In smaller practice groups, understanding of the material will also be deepened through applied exercises and the instructors will demonstrate how to make the most of current software for CNA.
From Boolean algebra and the philosophical roots of regularity theories of causation, over the basic ideas behind CNA’s search algorithm, and measures of fit to multi-outcome structures, model ambiguities, and robustness analyses, this introduction will enable participants to conduct CNA analyses themselves and review those of other researchers in a sophisticated manner. This will also be an opportunity to get to know researchers working with and on CNA from all over the world.
The workshop agenda is available here. You can register for the conference here.
Costs:

Early bird fee for registration prior to January 31, 2026 is $850.
Standard registration (February 1, 2026 – April 15, 2026) is $950.
Late registration (April 16th 2026 – May 15th, 2026) is $1050.

Crisp and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) Course at GSERM, St. Gallen, Switzerland | June 8-12, 2026
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-12 | GSERM, University of St. Gallen, Tellstrasse 2 9000 St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
Five-day QCA course as part of the Global School in Empirical Research Methods (GSERM), hosted by the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Course Overview
This intensive workshop provides a thorough introduction to both crisp- and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Participants receive hands-on instruction with the fsQCA software package and develop the skills necessary to design and execute research projects using set-analytic approaches.
Who should attend:
This course is intended for doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty across the social sciences who are interested in studying configurational phenomena and causal complexity using set-analytic methods.
About QCA
Qualitative Comparative Analysis combines analytical techniques with a conceptual framework ideal for studying configurational phenomena. It excels at analyzing causally complex situations characterized by multiple, conjunctural causation—where various factors interact in complex ways to produce outcomes.
Developed in the 1980s by sociologist and political scientist Charles Ragin, QCA bridges the gap between primarily qualitative, case-oriented approaches and primarily quantitative, variable-oriented approaches.
QCA employs Boolean algebra to analyze set relations, allowing researchers to formally identify patterns of necessity and sufficiency for outcomes of interest. Since its inception, QCA has evolved into a diverse set of techniques sharing a set-analytic foundation, encompassing both descriptive and inferential methodologies.
Applications
As a formal approach for data analysis, QCA can be applied to essentially any setting, but it is particularly valuable for analyzing datasets with relatively few observations (traditionally 10-50 cases). Recent developments have expanded QCA applications to medium- and large-N situations involving hundreds or even thousands of cases. While these applications require methodological adaptations, they maintain QCA’s advantages for analyzing configurational phenomena and causal complexity.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please contact me at fiss@marshall.usc.edu.
The complete course manual can be found here: Complete course details and application information here

Introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
2026-06-29 - 2026-07-03 | Central European University, Vienna, Austria
This five-day course introduces Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), a set-theoretic method that enables researchers to analyze causal complexity by identifying necessary and sufficient configurations of conditions for an outcome. The course combines conceptual foundations with hands-on exercises, including calibration, necessity and sufficiency analysis, truth tables, and solution interpretation using R.
Instructor:
Eva Thomann, University of Konstanz

Introduction to Process Tracing Methods
2026-06-29 - 2026-07-03 | Central European University, Vienna, Austria
This five-day course provides an introduction to process tracing as a qualitative method for within-case causal inference. Participants learn how to theorize causal mechanisms, collect and assess empirical evidence, and apply process tracing to their own research designs.
Instructor:
Hilde van Meegdenburg, Leiden University

Introduction to R
2026-06-29 - 2026-07-03 | Central European University, Vienna, Austria
This introductory course provides a practical introduction to R for social scientists. Participants learn the basics of R programming, data import and cleaning, data transformation, visualization, and reproducible research workflows.
Instructor:
Daniel Kovarek, Central European University

Comparative Research Designs: Building and Conducting Your Comparative Project
2026-07-06 - 2026-07-10 | Central European University, Vienna, Austria
This advanced course supports participants in developing and implementing rigorous comparative research designs. Topics include the logic of comparison, case selection, data collection strategies, analytical approaches across qualitative and quantitative methods, and writing a coherent and defensible research design.
Instructor:
Benoît Rihoux, Université catholique de Louvain

Advanced QCA and Set-Theoretical Multi-Methods Research
2026-07-06 - 2026-07-10 | Central European University, Vienna, Austria
This advanced course builds on introductory QCA and focuses on state-of-the-art developments in set-theoretic methods. Topics include limited diversity, robustness checks, enhanced standard analysis, theory evaluation, and combining QCA with other qualitative methods such as process tracing, using R.
Instructor:
Ioana-Elena Oana, European University Institute

Exploring Causal Complexity with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), Lugano
2026-08-17 - 2026-08-21 | Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano West Campus, Via Giuseppe Buffi 13, Lugano, CH-6900, Switzerland
Causal complexity is everywhere in the social sciences—yet most researchers lack the systematic tools to capture it rigorously. In this intensive 5-day workshop (28 contact hours) you will learn how to design, apply, and publish empirical research with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) in the R software environment. The course follows the comprehensive framework developed in Mello (2021, Georgetown University Press), progressing systematically from the foundations of QCA to advanced applications.
The course emphasizes research design alongside analytical techniques, addressing both conceptual foundations and practical application of QCA. You will follow an ideal-typical research process, starting with empirical illustrations of where and how QCA is used in the social sciences. Foundational sessions explore key principles, such as set theory, Boolean algebra, and the calibration of crisp and fuzzy sets, while guiding you through the analytical protocol for identifying patterns of causal complexity using truth tables and Boolean minimization.
The course progresses step by step, from study design to the interpretation of results, incorporating hands-on exercises with examples from published studies and R script templates to adapt for your own purposes. Advanced topics—including multi-method research, robustness tests, and recent developments in QCA—will be tailored to your needs and research interests. Opportunities to present your individual project and explore potential applications further enhance the workshop.
Designed to be inclusive, the workshop welcomes participants at all levels—from PhD students to senior researchers—and strikes a balance between theory, practical exercises, and individualized support. A strong emphasis on collaboration and dialogue in a small group setting ensures ample time for consultation, group discussions, and networking. By the end of the workshop, you will be equipped with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to apply QCA effectively, providing a robust framework for addressing causal complexity in comparative social science research.
This course is part of the 30th Summer School in Social Sciences Methods.
For more information, please visit https://www.usi.ch/en/education/summer-winter-school/ssm/exploring-causal-complexity-with-qualitative-comparative-analysis

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) course (in Italian) at UniMORE, Modena, Italy | September, 21-25 2026
2026-09-21 - 2026-09-25 | UniMORE, Modena, Italy
Five-day QCA course (taught in Italian) with focus on the calibration of qualitative data. The course is part the School in Qualitative and Mixed Methods hosted by the Fondazione Marco Biagi and the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UniMORE), Italy.
Course Overview:
The course offers the theoretical and methodological foundations to perform QCA, from set-conceptualisation, to configurational thinking, to casing and data calibration. By means of examples and exercises, the course focusses on the collection and calibration of qualitative data, although the acquired knowledge and skills can be applied to any type of data for QCA performance. The participants will also take part in tutored classes in the afternoon to apply what they learned about QCA to their prospective or on-going research projects. The course also includes sessions on the practical application of QCA by using the R packages ‘QCA’ and ‘SetMethods’ in the R Studio environment by replicating selected published QCA papers.
More information on the course is available at this page.
Who should attend:
This course targets Italian-speaking master and doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty across the social and human sciences who are interested in configurational thinking using set-analytic methods to examine causal complexity.
About QCA
Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) has been introduced by Charles C. Ragin’s (1987) book ‘The Comparative Method.’ Rooted in historical comparative research in political sciences, QCA expands the logic of qualitative analysis to multiple case studies. By following a formalised workflow, QCA allows researchers to perform systematic cross-case comparison and assess the ‘fit’ of the obtained results in comparative terms by relying on specific parameters.
Most interesting to QCA is the ‘shift of mindset’ required along all the stages of the research, as cases have to be considered elements belonging to conditions (factors) and outcomes (‘effects’) conceptualised as sets. QCA rests on configurational thinking for the representation and explanation of the selected cases in the sample through the concepts of necessity and sufficiency, equifinality, multifinality and limited diversity, which are the main elements composing causal complexity which characterises QCA.
QCA is typically applied to samples composed of small- or intermediate-n (usually, 10-50 cases), but it is increasingly used by researchers to examine large-n datasets from a configurational and set-theoretic logic.
Contact Information
For questions or additional information, please contact dr. Sofia Pagliarin by writing to pagliarin@ihs.nl
