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Desk ResearchDirect ObservationInterview
Negative Programme Theory
A theory-building exercise that maps how a product or initiative could lead to unintended negative outcomes. It involves gathering insights from external stakeholders, direct observation, and existing literature, then structuring these into a logic model with negative impacts as the endpoints.
When This Method Fits
Typical duration
Weeks
Typical cost
Medium
Fidelity level
N/A
Stage
Feasibility, Discovery
Hypothesis type
Exploratory
Goal type
Deepen product-market fit, Scale the model, Maximize societal impact, Drive corporate innovation / R&D, Improve operational efficiency
Randomization
N/A
Study design
Descriptive single-case study
Minimum units needed
1
1Best Fit When
Best when you need to proactively anticipate and plan for an initiative's possible unintended negative consequences, not just its intended benefits.