Invented by American sociologist Charles Ragin to handle both qualitative and quantitative data, Qualitative Comparative Analysis is a research method that uses set relations to study social phenomena. The core of the method uses boolean algebra to simplify logical statements to determine the sufficiency and necessity of particular conditions for particular outcomes.

This four hour introductory workshop is intended for anyone who practices social research or works in fields where complicated mixes of social factors require parsing to determine relevance. The method is applicable across disciplines and to a wide variety of research questions. The workshop will be part lecture and part brains-on with practical exercises of the basic operations of the technique. Participants will leave intrigued by this method, but will require additional training, study and relevant software to apply it.

Saturday January 24, 2015

1 5pm

Art Gallery of Ontario

Weston Family Learning Centre Seminar 1

Art Gallery of Ontario

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 20 SO PLEASE REGISTER BY CONTACTING darren@mammalian.ca

Methods for Mammals is the newly minted research and consultancy wing of Mammalian Diving Reflex under the research directorship of Darren O'Donnell. Current and evolving research partnerships exist with Germany's Metropolitan Region of Rhine-Neckar, Hong Kong's West Kowloon Cultural District Authority, LIFT- the London International Festival of Theatre and the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Darren O'Donnell and his company Mammalian Diving Reflex are the artists in residence at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Nov 3 - Feb 8. Darren has a M.Sc. in Urban Planning from the University of Toronto and attended University of Bern's Center of Competence for Public Management, introductory intensive on QCA, taught by Eva Thomann and Fritz Sager. He is a novelist, essayist, playwright, director, designer, performer and Artistic and Research Director of performance company Mammalian Diving Reflex. His books include: Social Acupuncture 2006, which argues for aesthetics of civic engagement and Your Secrets Sleep with Me 2004, a novel about difference, love and the miraculous. His stage-based works include White Mice 1998, [boxhead] 2000, and All the Sex Ive Ever Had 2012, and Promises to a Divided City2014.

QCA graphic by Michael Barker, Acme Art and Design.