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Panel

Design and Analysis of Experiments

Unpacking Components of Interventions: A Comparison of Synthesis Approaches

Stream: Evaluation Foundations and Methodology

Thursday, October 24, 2024
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM PST
Location: F151-152
Abstract Information: Systematic evidence reviews—summaries of existing experimental and quasi-experimental studies on an intervention—play a central role in establishing evidence-based practices. Whereas systematic evidence reviews have typically focused on studies of an intervention as delivered, interest is growing in examining the specific elements that the intervention comprises and that contribute to its success—broadly referred to as its core components. These core components may include an intervention’s various features, activities, actions, processes, events, services, and products that collectively comprise an intervention and that research has shown to be effective. Understanding the core components of interventions allows policymakers to identify with greater precision what works, in which contexts, and for which populations. Towards advancing core component analysis, this panel describes three synthesis approaches for identifying core components in the context of systematic evidence reviews: the distillation and matching model, meta-regression, and qualitative comparative analysis. Informed by the methodological review of these approaches, the panel reflects on future developments for advancing core components analysis in the context of evidence-based practice.