From causal theory to policy metrics: a mixed-methods approach to measuring the quality of citizen participation

Effective measurement of citizen participation is crucial for promoting democratic governance, yet traditional approaches often fail to capture its complex, context-specific, and causal dynamics. This paper presents a novel mixed-methods approach that integrates Directed Acyclic Graphs with the Alkire-Foster methodology. The proposed approach uses qualitative insights, obtained through expert workshops and the construction of directed acyclic graphs, to model the causal relationships that influence the quality of citizen participation. This qualitative understanding then informs the quantitative construction of a multidimensional indicator using the transparent and decomposable Alkire-Foster methodology. Applied to the case study of Medellín, Colombia, using 2023 survey data, the proposed methodology yielded a Multidimensional Participation Index of 0.727 for participating individuals, highlighting the significant contribution of participatory practices and enabling conditions to overall quality. Gender analysis revealed nuanced dimensions of equity, with women having a slightly higher multidimensional participation index than men. This new methodology offers advantages over conventional approaches regarding theoretical grounding, interpretability, context sensitivity, and policy relevance. Future research should focus on the validation and refinement of the methodology in different contexts and the further use of directed acyclic graphs for prospective policy impact assessment. By providing a more robust and nuanced measure of citizen participation, this research contributes to advancing both the understanding and practice of democratic and accountable governance.