The search for satisfying methods in complex policy research: A journey spanning natural experimental methods, process tracing, systems thinking and community-based system dynamics
- Date & time
- –
- Speaker
- Dr Miriam Alvarado (University of Cambridge)
- Host
- Social Policy and Intervention (Department)
- Series
- Professor David Humphreys
- Location
- VBR Department of Social Policy and Intervention, VBR Department of Social Policy and Intervention 32-42 Wellington Square (Barnett House) Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 2ER United Kingdom
- Organisation
- Oxford
Topics
About this talk
In this talk, Dr Miriam Alvarado will introduce a motivating policy problem (a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Barbados) and discuss the ways in which she has used a variety of methods and approaches, including interrupted time series analysis, process tracing, systems thinking and community-based system dynamics in an attempt to iteratively strengthen the quality of analytical insights and address the ‘what now/next’ question in relation to this policy. Along the way, Dr Alvarado and colleagues developed and used several thinking tools (e.g. ‘Work package Zero’), methodological guidance (steps to guide a systems-informed evaluation), and unusual combinations of existing methods (ITS and process tracing through an evidential pluralist lens). Dr Alvarado will reflect on the lessons learned and experiences across these approaches, and discuss exciting areas for future methodological development.
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