Dunst & Trivette 2008:

To the extent possible, a clear(er) understanding of the

relationship between the characteristics and consequences

of a practice is attempted to help inform the evidencebased

foundations of the practice. According to the

National Research Council (2002), “Finding that a causal

agent (x) leads to an outcome (y) is not sufficient.

Important questions about how things work demand attention

to the processes and mechanisms by which causes

produce their effects” (p. 117, italics added). A clear

understanding is accomplished by unpacking and disentangling

(unbundling in Lipsey’s, 1993, terminology)

those characteristics of environmental experiences, either

planned or naturally occurring, that have developmentinstigating

and development-enhancing features and elements

(Bronfenbrenner, 1992, 1999).

What are the most effective methods for improving outcomes of at-risk individuals?