3 Step 3
You produced a matrix of change objectives and you started on the Acyclic Behavior Change Diagram (ABCD; the logic model of change) in the previous step. In step 3, you complete this ABCD by filling in the three leftmost columns. You will then wrap all this together into one coherent intervention by producing a program theme, designating each application to one or more program components, and deciding on the components’ sequence and the program scope.
In the 4th edition of the Intervention Mapping textbook, step 3 is discussed in Chapter 6, where the following learning objectives and tasks are discussed:
- Generate program themes, components, scope, and sequence
- Choose theory- and evidence-based change methods
- Select or design practical applications to deliver change methods
Pages 345-364 of the fourth edition of the IM book cover these tasks and give some examples. In this workbook, we still do the same work. However, the following exercises deviate from the structure in the textbook, as it is easier to split up each task into subtasks.
3.1 Select methods and applications
Column D of your ABCD matrix contains the complete list of aspects of the psychology of the relevant target group (e.g. your intervention’s target group, or an environmental agent, or an implementer, see Step 5). Each sub-determinant/Change Objective must be targeted by at least one application in your final intervention.
Therefore, it is best to start by thinking about which methods and applications you want to use. This depends on what is available in your intervention: if the intervention contains interactive elements, other methods are available than if you have to work with mailings or bill boards (letters/mailings or bill boards are cheaper, and can be more accessible, than other channels).
Deciding on your methods and applications is an iterative process, and you can approach it from both directions: either you start thinking from which theoretical methods you want to use, and then think about how to apply them; or you can start thinking about what your intervention will look like (the application) and then decide which methods are suited for those applications.
The important thing is that for every Change Objective in column D of your ABCD matrix, you specify which method you will use to target it in column A; how you will apply that method in column C; and how, in that application, you will implement that method’s parameters for effectiveness in column B.
If you target a Change Objective with multiple applications and/or methods, copy its row, in such manner that you end up with an ABCD matrix where every row lists exactly one structural-causal chain.
Use the determinants in column E to select the methods (the tables referred to above are organised per determinants).
- Study Tables 6.5 to 6.18 in Chapter 6 (pages 345-433 of the 4th edition of the IM book) or the tables in the supplementary materials available at https://osf.io/ng3xh.
- Select theoretical methods for your Change Objectives. If you are unable to identify methods but able to identify applications, ask yourself – why would it work? The answer will lead you to a method.
- Complete columns A, B, and C of your ABCD matrix.
- Do this both for the ABCD matrix of the target group and for one environmental agent. Note that for environmental agents, different methods exist depending on their environmental level.
As you will see in the 2 examples, every ABCD matrix looks different. So, do not immediately think you did something wrong if it is not entirely similar to the examples.
- A list of student-produced ABCD matrices for different behaviors is available at https://im-wb.com/abcd-examples
- A simple ABCD matrix for refraining from using a high dose of MDMA is available here
- Produce a full ABCD matrix and the corresponding diagram.
3.2 Themes, components, scope and sequence
The Acyclic Behavior Change Diagram you produced is the blueprint for your intervention. However, it still is far from a coherent whole. It should still be tied together into a coherent intervention.
To achieve this, you need to organize the applications (column C from your ABCD matrix) into components. Next, you decide on the sequence; the order in which the components will be presented, and decide on the scope of each component (e.g., are there topics that should not be addressed?).
You also need a theme. You can think of the theme as the ‘face’ or ‘corporate identity’ of your intervention. How do you “call” your intervention and present it to your target group and to implementers?
- Generate ideas about possible themes, components, the scope and sequence of the program (see page 355 in the book)
- This is really the moment to be creative together! Of course you could find themes on the internet of well-known interventions, which might inspire you, but first seeing other examples might be creativity-crippling and turn you into a copy-cat. We therefore will not give you any examples.
- Complete the table in the “Themes, components, scope and sequence” section in the google document.
