Jane Ruessmann (asker) Dec 18, 2020:

Many thanks for your input Bjoern!

Björn Vrooman Dec 18, 2020:

PS Further corroboration: Para. "Das Wirkungsmodell und seine Bestandteile" on p. 3 of https://www.stiftung-mercator.ch/fileadmin/documents/Dokumen...

The German link posted twice by answerers also gives "Wirkungsketten" as an alternative, i.e., causal chains (see first post). E.g.: https://www.strategischeumweltpruefung.at/ms/strategischeumw...

But I think that makes this even more confusing. Going for something a bit simpler would be fine, IMO.

Best

Björn Vrooman Dec 18, 2020:

I dunno I'd like to help, but if you say "have been reading the wikipedia article," then why did you not look at the first reference? It says: "University of Wisconsin Extension: Enhancing Program Performance with Logic Models, Madison 2003"
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wirkungslogik

Also, this here took me maybe 5-10 minutes to find:
"The term logic model often is used interchangeably with other names -similar in concept - Blueprint, Causal chain, Conceptual map, Model of change, Roadmap, Theory of action, and Theory of change."
https://www.franklincountykids.org/uploads/2/8/2/6/28262799/...

Plus, https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-...

As for the last one, please look at the following paragraphs: a) "WHAT IS A LOGIC MODEL?" and b) "Outcome or Impact?" You'll see that logic model is used as both Wirkungslogik and logisches Modell, as far as I can tell.

This may be a bit confusing, but if people in the field use it like that, then I certainly wouldn't introduce a new term noone has ever heard of.

Best wishes

Steffen Walter Dec 17, 2020:

Your added context suggests ... ... that "Wirkungslogiken" is used as a synonym of "policy theories". Question answered, I'd say.

Jane Ruessmann (asker) Dec 17, 2020:

Interesting, have been reading the wikipedia article. Here is some more context: It's a series of PowerPoint slides on sustainable development. This one is about policy regarding energy, transport and climate. Under the sub-heading "Methods", we have "Analyse, Entwicklung, Erprobung & Evaluation" and then in brackets "multikriteriell, auf Basis policy theories/Wirkungslogiken".

philgoddard Dec 17, 2020:

I agree The three answers so far can only be guesses.

Wendy Streitparth Dec 17, 2020:

I think this is pretty impossible to answer without more information.