Shedding light on causal recipes for development research uptake

The paper pilots the use of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to understand why some research projects achieve policy uptake while others do not. Analyzing 20 completed projects, the study identifies three causal pathways to success, with research credibility emerging as a necessary 'gatekeeper' condition. The authors conclude that while QCA is a resource-intensive method that reduces causal complexity, it is a valuable tool for challenging and refining a Theory of Change in complex international development settings.

• Research credibility and quality act as a necessary but insufficient 'gatekeeper' condition for research uptake; 100% of cases with observed uptake scored high on credibility.
• The dominant causal pathway to research uptake, covering 80% of successful cases, consists of a combination of high credibility, strong communication, stakeholder engagement, explicit demand, and influence on debates.
• Two alternative, less common causal pathways to uptake were identified: one involving credibility, alignment with CDKN implementation, and the absence of a policy-relevant knowledge gap; and another involving credibility, communication, a policy-relevant knowledge gap, and the absence of influence on debates.
• Certain factors previously assumed to be crucial for success were found to not be part of any sufficient causal pathway, including previous relationships between researchers and policy-makers, close alignment with CDKN strategy during planning and implementation, and sustainability planning.
• The application of QCA in M&E is hindered by a lack of accessible guidance for non-experts and the technical complexity of operating the fsQCA software.
• QCA is most effective when used as one piece of evidence within a flexible M&E system to challenge or re-affirm Theory of Change assumptions, rather than as a tool to provide definitive, single-factor answers.

APA

Scholz, V., Kirbyshire, A., & Simister, N. (2016). Shedding light on causal recipes for development research uptake. Climate and Development Knowledge Network. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Applying-Qualitative-Comparative-Analysis-to-understand-reasons-for-research-uptake.-Vera-Scholz-Amy-Kirbyshire-and-Nigel-Simister.pdf

Chicago

Scholz, Vera, Amy Kirbyshire, and Nigel Simister. Shedding light on causal recipes for development research uptake. Climate and Development Knowledge Network, 2016. http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Applying-Qualitative-Comparative-Analysis-to-understand-reasons-for-research-uptake.-Vera-Scholz-Amy-Kirbyshire-and-Nigel-Simister.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Scholz |first1=Vera |last2=Kirbyshire |first2=Amy |last3=Simister |first3=Nigel |title=Shedding light on causal recipes for development research uptake |publisher=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |date=May 2016 |url=http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Applying-Qualitative-Comparative-Analysis-to-understand-reasons-for-research-uptake.-Vera-Scholz-Amy-Kirbyshire-and-Nigel-Simister.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{scholz2016shedding, author = {Scholz, Vera and Kirbyshire, Amy and Simister, Nigel}, title = {{Shedding light on causal recipes for development research uptake}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2016}, month = may, url = {http://cdkn.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Applying-Qualitative-Comparative-Analysis-to-understand-reasons-for-research-uptake.-Vera-Scholz-Amy-Kirbyshire-and-Nigel-Simister.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }