The use of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to address causality in complex systems: a systematic review of research on public health interventions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is a method for identifying the configurations of conditions that lead to specific outcomes. Given its potential for providing evidence of causality in complex systems, QCA is increasingly used in evaluative research to examine the uptake or impacts of public health interventions. We map this emerging field, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of QCA approaches identified in published studies, and identify implications for future research and reporting.

Methods

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies published in English up to December 2019 that had used QCA methods to identify the conditions associated with the uptake and/or effectiveness of interventions for public health.

SUBMITTER: Hanckel B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8103124 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature