How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations
Transdisciplinary research (TDR) aims to solve problems in complex systems by drawing from a range of methods and expertise to contribute to change processes. Theories of Change (ToCs) are well-suited to support TDR design and implementation, but they rarely achieve their full potential. In practice...
| Autores principales: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Formato: | Journal Article |
| Lenguaje: | Inglés |
| Publicado: |
Oekom Publishers GmbH
2023
|
| Acceso en línea: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/137288 |
| _version_ | 1855521824953073664 |
|---|---|
| author | Claus, R. Davel, R. Heykoop, C. Pinto, D. Belcher, B.M. |
| author_browse | Belcher, B.M. Claus, R. Davel, R. Heykoop, C. Pinto, D. |
| author_facet | Claus, R. Davel, R. Heykoop, C. Pinto, D. Belcher, B.M. |
| author_sort | Claus, R. |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | Transdisciplinary research (TDR) aims to solve problems in complex systems by drawing from a range of methods and expertise to contribute to change processes. Theories of Change (ToCs) are well-suited to support TDR design and implementation, but they rarely achieve their full potential. In practice, ToCs are often compromised by insufficient engagement with the context, weak theoretical bases, poor articulation, and a lack of iteration. This paper presents a process for ToC design based on the authors’ experience facilitating ToC development for research planning and evaluation. We illustrate the process using an in-progress TDR example on patient-oriented cancer care research. The approach begins by framing the social and research problems and then identifies activities and outputs, key actors, outcomes, and underlying causal assumptions. Skilled facilitation and strong conceptual familiarity are key to effectively mobilize ToC concepts into a cohesive and testable model to refine a strategy with TDR stakeholders. Key considerations and resources are offered to enhance ToC development planning and facilitation. |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | CGSpace137288 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2023 |
| publishDateRange | 2023 |
| publishDateSort | 2023 |
| publisher | Oekom Publishers GmbH |
| publisherStr | Oekom Publishers GmbH |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1372882025-10-26T12:53:19Z How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations Claus, R. Davel, R. Heykoop, C. Pinto, D. Belcher, B.M. Transdisciplinary research (TDR) aims to solve problems in complex systems by drawing from a range of methods and expertise to contribute to change processes. Theories of Change (ToCs) are well-suited to support TDR design and implementation, but they rarely achieve their full potential. In practice, ToCs are often compromised by insufficient engagement with the context, weak theoretical bases, poor articulation, and a lack of iteration. This paper presents a process for ToC design based on the authors’ experience facilitating ToC development for research planning and evaluation. We illustrate the process using an in-progress TDR example on patient-oriented cancer care research. The approach begins by framing the social and research problems and then identifies activities and outputs, key actors, outcomes, and underlying causal assumptions. Skilled facilitation and strong conceptual familiarity are key to effectively mobilize ToC concepts into a cohesive and testable model to refine a strategy with TDR stakeholders. Key considerations and resources are offered to enhance ToC development planning and facilitation. 2023-05-20 2024-01-08T08:02:36Z 2024-01-08T08:02:36Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/137288 en Open Access Oekom Publishers GmbH Claus, R., Davel, R., Heykoop, C., Pinto, D. and Belcher, B.M., 2023. How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations. GAIA-Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 32(1), 186-196. https://doi.org/10.14512/gaia.32.1.18 |
| spellingShingle | Claus, R. Davel, R. Heykoop, C. Pinto, D. Belcher, B.M. How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations |
| title | How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations |
| title_full | How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations |
| title_fullStr | How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations |
| title_full_unstemmed | How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations |
| title_short | How to build Theories of Change for transdisciplinary research: Guidance and considerations |
| title_sort | how to build theories of change for transdisciplinary research guidance and considerations |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/137288 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT clausr howtobuildtheoriesofchangefortransdisciplinaryresearchguidanceandconsiderations AT davelr howtobuildtheoriesofchangefortransdisciplinaryresearchguidanceandconsiderations AT heykoopc howtobuildtheoriesofchangefortransdisciplinaryresearchguidanceandconsiderations AT pintod howtobuildtheoriesofchangefortransdisciplinaryresearchguidanceandconsiderations AT belcherbm howtobuildtheoriesofchangefortransdisciplinaryresearchguidanceandconsiderations |