Participatory Systems Mapping
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This chapter introduces Participatory Systems Mapping, a method for building and analysing causal system models in groups, developed by us. The method uses tools from network analysis and focuses on chains of causal connections to develop meaningful and actionable insights with stakeholders. This chapter describes in detail what it is and how to use it, considers what it is good and bad at, as well as describes some of the history of its development. We also point to resources and tips for getting started with the method yourself.
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FCM is an easy and intuitive tool that recognizes diversity in experiences and knowledge, and knowledge is shared and co-created.
“FCM is an easy and intuitive tool to use that not only recognizes the diversity in experiences and knowledge of participants, but that knowledge is also shared and co-created (Barbrook-Johnson & Penn, 2022; Özesmi & Özesmi, 2003).”
From Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study (2025) · cites this paper as Barbrook-Johnson & Penn, 2022
In the brief history of participatory systems mapping (page unavailable), the authors say FCM created value for stakeholders and had a participatory element. But they do not describe FCM as easy or intuitive to use, or explicitly say it recognizes diverse experiences and enables knowledge sharing and co-creation. They instead note that researcher assumptions could constrain participation and co-design of its analysis; the workshop discussion describes participant-led knowledge exchange for PSM, not specifically FCM. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredFor each of the two maps, the study followed a protocol based on those outlined by Andersson and Silver (2019), Barbrook-Johnson & Penn (2022), and Cole & Perschitte (2000).
“For each of the two maps, we followed a protocol based on those outlined by Andersson and Silver (2019), Barbrook-Johnson & Penn (2022) and Cole & Perschitte (2000).”
From Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study (2025) · cites this paper as Barbrook-Johnson & Penn, 2022
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Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Penn, A. S. (2021). Participatory systems mapping for complex energy policy evaluation. Evaluation, 27(1), 57-79.
- Penn, A. S., Knight, C. J. K., Chalkias, G., Velenturf, A. P. M., & Lloyd, D. J. B. (2016). Extending participatory fuzzy cognitive mapping with a control nodes methodol- ogy: A case study of the development of a bio-based economy in the Humber region, UK In Including stakeholders in environmental modeling: Considerations, methods and applications, Ed. S Gray, S Gray, R Jordan, M Pallisimio Penn, A. S., Knight, C. J. K., Lloyd, D. J. B., Avitabile, D., Kok, K., Schiller, F., Woodward, A., Druckman, A., & Basson, L. (2013). Participatory develop- ment and analysis of a fuzzy cognitive map of the establishment of a bio-based economy in the humber region. PLoS ONE, 8(11), e78319. https://doi. org/10.1371/journal.pone.0078319 · DOI
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Sexual and gender-based violence against South Sudanese refugees in Uganda: a mixed-methods study
Michaelsen, S. (2025) · Université de Montréal · doi:10.71781/1596
- Authors
- Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Penn, A. S.
- Affiliations
- University of Oxford (GB)
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Barbrook-Johnson, Pete
- Venue
- Systems Mapping
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing
- Published
- 2022
- Pages
- 61-78
- OpenAlex
- W4285260595
- Cited by
- 20
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 10.02
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Springer eBooks (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Complex Systems and Decision Making
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Artificial Intelligence › Cognitive Science and Mapping
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Diverse Interdisciplinary Research Innovations
- Keywords
- participatory systems mapping, network analysis, causal relationship, stakeholder engagement, participatory approach, systems thinking
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