Cracking causality in complex policy contexts

This blog post addresses the challenge of making credible causal claims and discusses experiences from developing the Qualitative Impact Assessment Protocol (QUIP).

Author

James Copestake

Key features

The author questions the lack of interest and investment in qualitative approaches to assess causal effects in development interventions. In exploring this, he discusses methodological challenges such as confirmation bias, opaque data analysis, credible generalisation, and effective incorporation of evidence into decision-making. Additionally, he examines how the socio-political context affects the acceptance and utility of qualitative research in policy-making.