Table 2 Symbolic representation in the causal loop diagram
From: Challenges for gatekeeping: a qualitative systems analysis of a pilot in rural China
Symbol | Meaning | ||
|---|---|---|---|
X |
| Y | a positive causal link (all else being equal, a change in the variable X leads to a change in the same direction in variable Y, compared to when X is held constant) |
X |
| Y | a negative causal link (all else being equal, a change in the variable X leads to a change in the opposite direction in variable Y, compared to when X is held constant) |
X |
| Y | a causal link with delay (change in Y take place after change in X after a delay) |
X |
| Y | a causal link introduced with the gatekeeping pilot programme |
X |
| Y | a causal link that was intended by policy makers but not achieved |
| a balancing loop (sum of total numbers of negative causal links is odd) | ||
| a reinforcing loop (sum of total numbers of negative causal links is even) | ||
