Comment on: “Case-to-Factor Ratios and Model Specification in Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)”

Abstract

The article by Thiem and Mkrtchyan appears in a context of rising interest about the number of cases needed to perform a QCA analysis. They question the benchmark tables proposed by Marx and Dușa (2011) and conclude the ratios from those tables are “misplaced.” We believe this conclusion deviates from the scientific method and focus on two essential aspects: (1) their approach to the case to factor ratios and (2) omitted variable bias. We conclude our tables hold until a better alternative is proposed and encourage QCA researchers to continue using them.