Process Tracing is a method used to understand causal chains in single case analysis settings. It is the systematic analysis of contribution claims through explicit investigation of how pieces of evidence support or undermine a particular hypothesis or claim.
Case Studies
UKES / CECAN Online Masterclass – Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
This course is an introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). QCA is a method for the comparative study of cases and is used to analyse qualitative social data systematically. The analysis compares cases by assigning set memberships across a set of attributes.
The Rise of AI Tools in Evaluation – Challenges and Opportunities
This blog summarises key points discussed by delegates in the session “How might the rise of AI tools affect future approaches to evaluation?” as part of the CECAN Conference held at the Royal Academy of Engineering on 4 June 2024.
CECAN Webinar – Innovation as a complex system: delivering a systems framework to measure impact within deep tech
Brian MacAulay, Principal Economist and Teresa Miquel, Innovation Partner at Digital Catapult will present their approach to measuring outcomes through a complex systems approach.
CECAN Conference 2024
On 4th June 2024, CECAN hosted it’s 2024 Conference ‘Looking Back and Looking Forward: Closing the loop from evaluation to policy making’ at the prestigious Royal Academy Of Engineering.
Adaptive and Developmental Evaluation: Essential Principles and Practice
CECAN Ltd is delighted to introduce this brand new training opportunity! Building on our popular ‘Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation’ series, which is designed to provide you with knowledge and practical advice that allows you to deal with complexity in policy analysis and evaluation.
CECAN Webinar – Embracing complexity: Using systems thinking to improve responses to child criminal exploitation – Lessons from and for system thinking in public service delivery
Drawing on the findings of a Policy Fellowship with the Royal Academy of Engineering, Jo Reilly discusses how the application of systems thinking principles might help law enforcement agencies better protect vulnerable people from criminal exploitation.
CECAN Webinar – SIPHER’s Synthetic Population: An Introduction
In this presentation, Nik will provide an overview of SIPHER’s synthetic population, including how it was developed, how it can be used to support decision making as well as strengths and limitations.
Call for Paper Abstracts – Special Issue on “Advances in Causal Systems Mapping”
CALL FOR PAPER ABSTRACTS. For a special issue on “Advances in causal systems mapping” in the International Journal of Social Research Methodology.
CECAN Webinar: Demystifying system thinking from within Defra – Reflections from case studies
Environmental policy is inherently complex. Outcomes on biodiversity, water quality, air quality, net zero, climate adaptation and food security are interdependent and affected in different ways by many interacting drivers.
UKES / CECAN Online Masterclass – Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
This course is an introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). QCA is a method for the comparative study of cases and is used to analyse qualitative social data systematically. The analysis compares cases by assigning set memberships across a set of attributes.
CECAN Webinar – From the Individual to the Collective: Narrative and Participatory Approaches to Evaluating Complex Human Systems
The Cynefin Co has developed tools, methods and approaches for complex evaluation grounded in the foundations set by the Cynefin framework. A key principle is that complex human systems need both narrative and quantitative indicators to be understood and evaluated.
CECAN Ltd CPD Online Workshop: Process Tracing
Process Tracing is a method used to understand causal chains in single case analysis settings. It is the systematic analysis of contribution claims through explicit investigation of how pieces of evidence support or undermine a particular hypothesis or claim.
Agent-Based Modelling for Social Scientists
ABM for the Social Scientist: A Practical Guide to Model Building and NetLogo, with Corinna Elsenbroich (CECAN Ltd) and Jen Badham (Durham University)
CECAN Webinar – Integrating Health, Wellbeing, Nature and Sustainability (HWNS) into local, strategic planning: learning from the co-development of a practical systems approach to place-making
Natural England, with partners including the Environment Agency, Local Partnerships, What Works Wellbeing and Local Authorities, have been co-developing and testing a systems approach that aims to support better outcomes across health, wellbeing, nature and sustainability (HWNS) through local place-making.
CECAN Webinar – Navigating System Change Evaluation: reflections on how to know you are making progress in shifting systems
Social Finance, in partnership with the System Innovation Initiative, spent 12 months between 2022 and 2023 exploring how evaluation works for system change.
Looking Back and Looking Forward: Closing the loop from evaluation to policy making (Hybrid Event)
You are warmly invited to attend CECAN’s conference, ‘Looking Back and Looking Forward: Closing the loop from evaluation to policy making’ on Tuesday 4th June 2024.
Can we generate value profiles from policy documents?
What kinds of value do policies seek to deliver? A trivial answer would be “value for money”, but this doesn’t say anything about the kinds of value that we seek to maximise with respect to expenditure.
CECAN Update (July 2023)
Take a look at our latest CECAN update to find out more about what we’ve been working on and activities coming soon.
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module Three – Commissioning and Managing a Complex Evaluation
The ‘Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation’ workshop series provides you with knowledge and practical advice to allow you to deal with complexity in policy analysis and evaluation.
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module Two – Selecting an Appropriate Evaluation Approach
The ‘Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation’ workshop series provides you with knowledge and practical advice to allow you to deal with complexity in policy analysis and evaluation.
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module One – Complexity and its Challenges for Policy and Evaluation
The ‘Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation’ workshop series provides you with knowledge and practical advice to allow you to deal with complexity in policy analysis and evaluation.
UKES / CECAN Online Masterclass – Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)
This course is an introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). QCA is a method for the comparative study of cases and is used to analyse qualitative social data systematically.
CECAN Webinar: New Economic Models of the Energy Transition
This webinar will present work from the Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition (EEIST) project, a Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and Children’s Investment Fund Foundation funded project applying complexity and systems approaches in ex ante appraisal of energy and climate policy.
CECAN Webinar: Setting Boundaries in Evaluation; The role of Critical Systems Heuristics
This interactive presentation will use a case example to explore the use of Critical Systems Heuristics in evaluation design, implementation and reporting.
CECAN Project Report (February 2023)
The CECAN Progress report (March 2016 – February 2023) provides an overview of the project, its findings, and impacts.
CECAN Webinar: Reflecting and Learning: Using Contribution Analysis
On 18th January 2023, Catherine Currie (Independent Evaluation Consultant) hosted a CECAN webinar.
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module Three – Commissioning and Managing a Complex Evaluation
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module Three – Commissioning and Managing a Complex Evaluation
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module Two – Selecting an Appropriate Evaluation Approach
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module Two – Selecting an Appropriate Evaluation Approach
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module One – Complexity and its Challenges for Policy and Evaluation
Handling Complexity in Policy Evaluation Online Workshop: Module One – Complexity and its Challenges for Policy and Evaluation