Tolerance in QCA: moving debates on design, calibration, analysis, and interpretation in QCA forward in macrocomparative resarch

This paper argues for three aspects of tolerance with respect to QCA research: tolerance with respect to different approaches to QCA; producing QCA research with tolerance (work that is resistant to criticism); and for QCA researchers to be clear about the tolerance of the solutions they present – especially in terms of calibration and truth table construction. Giving examples that are based on macrocomparative research, the paper organises its structure around how this approach would apply in terms of QCA research design, calibration, analysis, and interpretation, presenting the dilemmas that can result at each stage, along with the choices they require of researchers. It concludes by advocating for greater acceptance of different approaches to QCA (‘perspectivalism’) but also being clear about what researchers using it should expect from one another in producing high-quality research.