Using causal loop diagrams to develop evaluative research propositions: opportunities and challenges in applications to nature-based solutions

Miriam Alvarado; Joanne Garrett; James Fullam; Rebecca Lovell; Cornelia Guell; Tim Taylor; Ruth  Garside; Marianne Zandersen; Benedict W Wheeler

doi:10.1002/sdr.1756

Using causal loop diagrams to develop evaluative research propositions: opportunities and challenges in applications to nature-based solutions

Bidragets oversatte titel: Brug af kausale loop-diagrammer til at udvikle evaluerende forskningsforslag: : muligheder og udfordringer ved anvendelse af naturbaserede løsninger

Miriam Alvarado^*, Joanne Garrett, James Fullam, Rebecca Lovell, Cornelia Guell, Tim Taylor, Ruth Garside, Marianne Zandersen, Benedict W Wheeler

^*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift/Konferencebidrag i tidsskrift /Bidrag til avis › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › peer review

2 Citationer (Scopus)

Abstract

Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) are often used to provide an overview of important systemic elements
related to an issue, rather than to inform empirical evaluations (studies which assess
changes following an intervention using observed data). We suggest that empirical evaluations
may benefit from the development of systems-informed research propositions (specific testable
causal assumptions with an emphasis on feedback loops) used to guide subsequent data collection,
hypothesis testing and interpretation. We describe a qualitative systems-thinking informed
approach building on preexisting CLDs, published evidence, and expert/stakeholder consultation
and reflect on our experience applying this to the early stages of two nature-based solution
(NBS) evaluations. We reflect on our experience and suggest that CLDs can be usefully
employed to develop systems-informed research propositions to inform subsequent empirical
evaluation. This may lead to novel policy-relevant research propositions which differ substantially
from effectiveness-oriented (“did it work?”) research questions.

Bidragets oversatte titel	Brug af kausale loop-diagrammer til at udvikle evaluerende forskningsforslag: : muligheder og udfordringer ved anvendelse af naturbaserede løsninger
Originalsprog	Engelsk
Artikelnummer	e1756
Tidsskrift	System Dynamics Review
Vol/bind	40
Nummer	4
ISSN	0883-7066
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1002/sdr.1756
Status	Udgivet - 1 okt. 2024

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10.1002/sdr.1756Licens: CC BY

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Link to publication in Scopus

REGREEN: REGREEN - Fostering nature-based solutions for equitable, green and healthy urban transitions in Europe and China
Frederiksen, P. (PI), Zandersen, M. (PI), Levin, G. (Deltager), Jensen, A. (Deltager), Sabel, C. E. (Deltager), Pedersen, A. B. (Deltager), Nainggolan, D. (Deltager) & Panduro, T. E. (Deltager)
01/09/2019 → 29/02/2024
Projekter: Projekt › Forskning

Citationsformater

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abstract = "Causal loop diagrams (CLDs) are often used to provide an overview of important systemic elementsrelated to an issue, rather than to inform empirical evaluations (studies which assesschanges following an intervention using observed data). We suggest that empirical evaluationsmay benefit from the development of systems-informed research propositions (specific testablecausal assumptions with an emphasis on feedback loops) used to guide subsequent data collection,hypothesis testing and interpretation. We describe a qualitative systems-thinking informedapproach building on preexisting CLDs, published evidence, and expert/stakeholder consultationand reflect on our experience applying this to the early stages of two nature-based solution(NBS) evaluations. We reflect on our experience and suggest that CLDs can be usefullyemployed to develop systems-informed research propositions to inform subsequent empiricalevaluation. This may lead to novel policy-relevant research propositions which differ substantiallyfrom effectiveness-oriented (“did it work?”) research questions.",

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Using causal loop diagrams to develop evaluative research propositions: opportunities and challenges in applications to nature-based solutions. / Alvarado, Miriam; Garrett, Joanne; Fullam, James et al.
I: System Dynamics Review, Bind 40, Nr. 4, e1756, 01.10.2024.

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift/Konferencebidrag i tidsskrift /Bidrag til avis › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › peer review

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AU - Taylor, Tim

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AU - Zandersen, Marianne

AU - Wheeler, Benedict W

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Using causal loop diagrams to develop evaluative research propositions: opportunities and challenges in applications to nature-based solutions

Abstract

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Projekter

REGREEN: REGREEN - Fostering nature-based solutions for equitable, green and healthy urban transitions in Europe and China

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