New method merges numbers and stories to uncover deeper truths.
The article discusses a new method called Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) that combines quantitative and qualitative analysis in educational research. Quantitative analysis uses numbers to measure characteristics like size and speed, while qualitative analysis focuses on qualities like uniqueness and norms. QCA helps researchers understand both the "what" and "why" of a situation by looking at numerical data and descriptive details.