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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

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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
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Priscilla+Alamos-Concha%22">Priscilla Alamos-Concha</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5369-4681">0000-0001-5369-4681</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Valèrie+Pattyn%22">Valèrie Pattyn</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bart+Cambré%22">Bart Cambré</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7427-8502">0000-0002-7427-8502</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Benoît+Rihoux%22">Benoît Rihoux</searchLink>
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  Data: 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.
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        Value: 10.1177/0193841X251352020
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      – SubjectFull: Evaluation Methods
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      – SubjectFull: Comparative Analysis
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      – SubjectFull: Transfer of Training
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      – SubjectFull: Mixed Methods Research
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      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
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      – SubjectFull: Small Businesses
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      – SubjectFull: Belgium
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