Getting started with TOSMANA
Dr. Lasse Cronqvist
FB III / Politikwissenschaft
University of Trier
cronqvist@uni-trier.de
http://www.tosmana.net
This document illustrates a first simple use of TOSMANA for csQCA. It aims to clarify the import of data
as well as all steps necessary for a complete analysis. The text describes the main functions of thesoftware, but it does not cover all features of TOSMANA. Please refer to the manual found on theTOSMANA website for further information.
Description based on: Cronqvist, Lasse. 2018. Tosmana [Version 1.6] University of Trier. Internet: http://www.tosmana.net (Published:September 14th 2018). The data included is taken from: Rihoux, Benoît; De Meur, Gisèle (2009): Crisp-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis(csQCA). In: Benoît Rihoux und Charles C. Ragin (Eds.): Configurational comparative methods. Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) andrelated techniques. Los Angeles: Sage, pp. 33–68, data from p. 41. The data can be found in the download section on the TOSMANA website(Getting started with TOSMANA (incl. example data set))

The following steps do illustrate the import of data to TOSMANA as well as the procedure for a simple
csQCA analysis with the software:
1. The simple way to include data with TOSMANA is to copy data directly from a spreadsheet
program. To do so, open the data set in a spreadsheet program. Select all cells with data in thedata set and copy. Please remember to include variable names in the first row.
2. In TOSMANA, select File>Import from Clipboard in the menu. The data will be loaded to thesoftware and will replace existing data. After the successful import, you should save your filein the format used within TOSMANA (File > Save As). The software saves the data as a XMLFile, so you can edit the data outside of TOSMANA with a XML-Editor as well.
3. TOSMANA tries to identify the type of data imported. A variable containing characters will bemarked as a possible case identifier with a green flag (1, this is the case for CASEID in thisexample). In addition, metric data is identified and marked with a subdivision symbol (2, heree.g. GNPCAP). The yellow warning sign indicates that the condition has no thresholds attachedto it yet.

1If the software does not show a flag or a subdivision symbol, TOSMANA will use the data as it
is for analysis (this is the case for Outcome, 3).
4. Before performing a QCA calculation, you have to define thresholds for conditions with metricdata. To do so, click on the column header and select Edit Variable in the opening contextmenu.

5. The Edit Variable dialogue opens and you can set a number of properties. To set a thresholdfor a specific condition, use thresholds must be set as value in the Conversion drop-down box.
To use a multi-valued condition, enter the different threshold with a semicolon as divider (e.g.
300; 500).

In addition, you can use the Thresholdssetter to define the thresholds. Press the setter button
to open this tool, which displays the distribution of data for the variable selected and thus
allows a simple review of the data included. The thresholds will show up in the data view
instead of the warning sign after confirmation in the Edit Variable window.

2

6. After the preparation of the data set, the QCA calculations can be started by calling Analysis >Start (mv)QCA from the menu bar or by pressing the F9 key. The mv(QCA) Windows opens,
where the settings for the analysis are defined. First, select the conditions, the outcome andthe case descriptor (Area marked 1). Then, select the outcome value to be minimized (explain)
and whether logical remainders should be included or not (Area marked 2). In addition, anumber of options regarding the output of the calculations can be defined this window (Areamarked 3). Press the full analysis (4) button to perform the QCA calculations.

Use the other buttons to retrieve the results only (just results) or to show the list of prime
implicants (show implicants). The button visualize calls a graphical illustration of the data
distribution (related to a Venn-Diagram). Finally, it is also possible to display the truth table
only (show truth table).

Resources
For further information, see the manual for TOSMANA:
Cronqvist,

Lasse(2016):TOSMANA Manual.

Versionhttp://www.tosmana.net.

3

1.5.

beta

Trier.

Available

online: