QCA

1. One-line definition (must be automatic)

Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) = a systematic, rule-based analysis of text in which categories are defined in advance (or only slightly refined) to classify meaning.

👉 If you hesitate here, you’re dead.

2. What QCA is NOT (this is how you eliminate options)

• ❌ NOT Grounded Theory (no theory building)

• ❌ NOT Thematic Analysis (not flexible / interpretive)

• ❌ NOT Discourse Analysis (not about power / language use)

Exam rule:
QCA only makes sense in contrast.

3. Core purpose of QCA (what it is used for)

Purpose:

• Systematically describe and classify content

• Compare content across cases

• Sometimes test or apply theory

🚨 NOT:

• Generating new theory

• Explaining causal mechanisms

• Studying power, ideology, discourse

4. The defining features (these must trigger QCA instantly)

A. Categories

• Defined in advance

• Often derived from:

  • Research questions

  • Existing theory

  • Existing codebooks

• Can be slightly refined, but not fully emergent

👉 IF categories are fixed before coding → QCA

B. Coding

• Rule-based

• Uses a codebook

• Same rules applied to all texts

• Goal = classification, not discovery

C. Units

• Coding units are fixed in advance

  • sentences

  • paragraphs

  • articles

• Data collection unit ≠ data analysis unit (this is tested)

D. Interpretation level

• Mostly manifest content (what is explicitly said)

• Low interpretation preferred

🚨 If question emphasizes latent meaning / deep interpretation → NOT classic QCA

5. Types of QCA (exam loves this)

1⃣ Conventional QCA

• Categories developed inductively from data

• BUT still systematic and structured

• Still QCA because:

  • clear rules

  • classification goal

🚨 Trap:
“Inductive” does not automatically mean GT

2⃣ Directed QCA

• Categories derived from existing theory

• Used to test / extend theory

🚨 IF theory-driven categories → QCA (not GT)

3⃣ Summative QCA

• Focus on frequency / presence of words or concepts

• Counting + interpretation

6. The QCA workflow (fixed order — memorize)

1. Select material

2. Define categories (codebook)

3. Define coding units

4. Code text systematically

5. Build coding tree

6. Analyze patterns (frequency / comparison)

🚨 If the workflow includes:

• theoretical sampling

• changing sample

• saturation
  → NOT QCA

7. Coding tree (very exam-relevant)

• Open codes → subcategories → main categories

• Hierarchical structure

• Usually:

  • 2–7 categories

  • max ~4 levels

🚨 Trap:

• If coding tree is said to produce theory → wrong

8. Sampling in QCA (this is heavily tested)

• Samples can be heterogeneous

• Sample is fixed in advance

• No theoretical sampling

• No saturation logic

Exam killer rule:

• IF sample changes during analysis → NOT QCA

9. The REQUIRED example from your slides (you must recognize it)

Example: Divorced mothers & stepmotherhood

• Data: 18 interviews

• Coding unit: sentence

• Categories based on RQs:

  1. Definitions & perceptions

  2. Emotional & behavioural strategies

  3. Communication dynamics

Why this is QCA:

• Categories derived from RQs

• Fixed coding units

• Coding tree

• Focus on manifest meaning

🚨 This example is NOT Grounded Theory.

10. QCA vs Grounded Theory (absolute must)

IF YOU SEE theoretical sampling → NOT QCA

11. QCA vs Thematic Analysis

12. QCA vs Discourse Analysis

13. Classic exam traps (memorize)

❌ “QCA builds theory”
❌ “QCA uses theoretical saturation”
❌ “QCA categories fully emerge from data”
❌ “QCA focuses on discourse/power”
❌ “QCA = flexible, open coding”

14. High-yield IF–THEN rules (final drill)

• IF categories are predefined → QCA

• IF coding is rule-based → QCA

• IF sample is fixed → QCA

• IF focus is manifest meaning → QCA

• IF goal is classification → QCA

15. What the exam will actually ask

They will ask:

• Which statement about QCA is correct

• Which statement is false

• Identify method from vignette

• Compare QCA to GT / TA / Discourse

They will not ask:

• “Explain QCA in your own words”

• “Discuss advantages”

16. Final checklist (if you can say this fast, you’re safe)

If you want next:

• 🔥 Hard-mode QCA MCQs only

• 🔥 QCA vs GT mixed trick quiz

• 🔥 One-page cram sheet

Say the word.