Abstract

The aim of this article is to build up a concept-informed research design to answer “why and how” a policy can make a difference. It demonstrates the potential and challenges of an innovative multimethod approach, which combines a configurational and mechanistic view to policy effectiveness. The article hereto draws on experiences in applying Qualitative Comparative Analysis and Process Tracing in one single evaluation. The study calls for a rigorous treatment of concepts, especially to avoid the risk of mechanistic heterogeneity. It unpacks important lessons in concept formation and operationalization, so as to ensure concept validity and to make strong causal inferences.

摘要

本文的目的是建立一个基于概念的研究设计来回答“为什么以及如何”政策可以产生影响。它展示了一种创新的多方法方法的潜力和挑战，该方法结合了配置和机制的观点来衡量政策的有效性。本文借鉴了在一次评估中应用定性比较分析和过程跟踪的经验。该研究要求对概念进行严格处理，特别是避免机械异质性的风险。它揭示了概念形成和操作化的重要经验，以确保概念的有效性并做出强有力的因果推论。