Quantifying the Qualitative ─ Information Theory for Comparative Case Analysis

Quantifying the Qualitative: Information Theory for Comparative Case Analysis lays out a new systematic approach to comparative case analysis based on fundamental insights of information theory. Katya Drozdova and Kurt Taylor Gaubatz present a method for learning more from the information you have, and exercising better judgment under conditions of uncertainty, especially in complex environments. The interest in case study methods and multi-method analytics continues to increase across a wide range of disciplines. The approach the authors present is exceedingly simple and transparent and very practical for a wide range of analysts as well as practitioners providing a straightforward metric for comparing factor impacts that can be effectively communicated to the reader. Qualitative and mixed methods analysis stands to benefit from more accessible analytic tools that can reduce bias and improve the knowledge gained from comparative case studies. The techniques the authors describe require only minimal quantitative skills. Appendix A provides a walkthrough of Excel or Google sheets for needed calculations along with sample Excel sheets and Appendix B provides and implementation of the methods in the open source language “R” for those who prefer that approach. These appendixes are contained in the book and on the accompanying website.