| Title: |
Increasing Internal and External Validity through a Multimethod Evaluation with Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Process Tracing: The Case of Training Transfer Effectiveness in Flemish SMEs |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Priscilla Alamos-Concha (ORCID 0000-0001-5369-4681); Valèrie Pattyn; Bart Cambré (ORCID 0000-0002-7427-8502); Benoît Rihoux |
| Source: |
Evaluation Review. 2026 50(2):231-255. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
25 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Validity; Evaluation Methods; Comparative Analysis; Foreign Countries; Transfer of Training; Mixed Methods Research; Program Effectiveness; Small Businesses |
| Geographic Terms: |
Belgium |
| DOI: |
10.1177/0193841X251352020 |
| ISSN: |
0193-841X; 1552-3926 |
| Abstract: |
This paper presents a methodological advancement by integrating Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and Process Tracing (PT) in the evaluation of training transfer effectiveness in Flemish SMEs. This multimethod approach leverages the strengths of both QCA and PT to enhance internal and external validity, offering a robust framework for capturing the conditions and causal mechanisms underlying policy interventions. By sequentially applying QCA to identify necessary and sufficient conditions and PT to unpack the causal processes, the study provides a comprehensive analysis that addresses both "what works" and "how it works." Our findings demonstrate that combining these methods allows for more nuanced insights into the effectiveness of training programs, ultimately contributing to the empirical validation of policy theories and the development of evidence-based interventions. This research underscores the potential of multimethod evaluations to produce more reliable and generalizable results, thereby offering valuable guidance for evaluators and policymakers seeking to enhance the impact of their programs. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1499358 |
| Database: |
ERIC |