"Process tracing is a qualitative analysis methodology. The main purpose of process tracing is to establish whether, and how, a potential cause or causes influenced a specified change or set of changes. This is done by applying formal tests to examine the strength of evidence linking potential cause ... s to the changes. Process tracing also involves testing alternative ideas about how change might have come about." (Introduction) more

"Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) is a methodology that enables the analysis of multiple cases in complex situations. It can help explain why change happens in some cases but not others. QCA is designed for use with an intermediate number of cases, typically between 10 and 50. It can be used i ... n situations where there are too few cases to apply conventional statistical analysis." (Introduction) more

"There are many different types of evaluation. Each type has its own set of processes and/or principles. Many factors influence decisions over what type of evaluation to use. Evaluations can be categorised according to their purpose, who conducts them, when they are carried out, the broad approach u ... sed, and cross-cutting themes. Many CSO evaluations don’t use any particular methodology or approach." (Introduction) more

"Focus group discussions are facilitated discussions, held with a small group of people who have specialist knowledge or interest in a particular topic. They are used to find out the perceptions and attitudes of a defined group of people. Focus group discussions can be applied at any stage of the pr ... oject or programme cycle from design through to evaluation." (Introduction) more

"Interviews are routinely carried out when projects and programmes are planned, monitored or evaluated. Interviews may be carried out face-to-face or through remote media. They may be carried out with individuals or groups. They may be unstructured, semi-structured or structured. And they may be inf ... ormal or formal. Different types of interviews are appropriate in different circumstances." (Introduction) more

"Sometimes, information is used for planning, monitoring or evaluation that has previously been collected by other people or organisations for their own purposes. This is known as secondary data. There are many potential sources of secondary data. Secondary data can be used at any stage of a project ... or programme cycle." (Introduction) more