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The Modus Narrandi

A Methodology for Evaluating Effects of Environmental Policy

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, joos.gysen{at}hiva.kuleuven.be

Hans Bruyninckx

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and Wageningen University, The Netherlands, bruyninckx{at}soc.kuleuven.be

Kris Bachus

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, kris.bachus{at}hiva.kuleuven.be

‘Are we being effective?’ has become an increasingly central question in policy evaluation research. This article defends the position that this question can only be answered by employing a methodology that is adapted and can stand scrutiny in the policy field in which the evaluation occurs. In our experience the evaluation of environmental policy requires a renewed effort to develop methodologies that take into account the key characteristics of that policy area. The ‘modus narrandi’, based on causal narrative story reconstruction, is our contribution to these efforts. It is a methodology for effect evaluation that looks at effectiveness and side effects within contexts characterized by causal uncertainty.

Key Words: causality • effectiveness • environmental policy evaluation • modus narrandi methodology • side effects

Evaluation, Vol. 12, No. 1, 95-118 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1356389006064176


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