Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations

Increasingly, researchers are conducting projects that combine realist reviews with realist evaluation. This combination can have benefits, but is likely to increase the cost, duration and complexity of the project. This chapter provides advice on four areas that need to be considered when planning...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Wong, G, Howe, J, MacPhee, M, Maidment, I
Other Authors: Manzano, A
Format: Book section
Language:English
Published: Routledge 2024
_version_ 1817932514422947840
author Wong, G
Howe, J
MacPhee, M
Maidment, I
author2 Manzano, A
author_facet Manzano, A
Wong, G
Howe, J
MacPhee, M
Maidment, I
author_sort Wong, G
collection OXFORD
description Increasingly, researchers are conducting projects that combine realist reviews with realist evaluation. This combination can have benefits, but is likely to increase the cost, duration and complexity of the project. This chapter provides advice on four areas that need to be considered when planning to run a combined project: staffing, sequencing, data collection and analysis. With staffing there is no ‘perfect’ number of researchers to have on the project; instead thought should be given to the pros and cons of any staffing arrangement. Having administrative support can help. Time should be spent on building a well-functioning project team. When sequencing, realist reviews are commonly conducted first, but it may be acceptable to start primary data collection when a ‘good enough’ programme theory has been developed from the review. When gathering data, having a team with the correct skill mix matters, as does a realistic timeframe that provides space for discussion, analysis and reflection. Data collection methods should adhere to any existing quality standards. Finally, it is important to develop and agree on a coherent data analysis plan and processes; regular data analysis can help, as can respectful and consistent input from stakeholders.
first_indexed 2024-12-09T03:39:07Z
format Book section
id oxford-uuid:3e2a6ba8-04c7-43a2-badc-a05659e48f81
institution University of Oxford
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-09T03:39:07Z
publishDate 2024
publisher Routledge
record_format dspace
spelling oxford-uuid:3e2a6ba8-04c7-43a2-badc-a05659e48f812024-12-06T09:45:29ZCombining realist reviews with realist evaluationsBook sectionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_1843uuid:3e2a6ba8-04c7-43a2-badc-a05659e48f81EnglishSymplectic ElementsRoutledge2024Wong, GHowe, JMacPhee, MMaidment, IManzano, AWilliams, EIncreasingly, researchers are conducting projects that combine realist reviews with realist evaluation. This combination can have benefits, but is likely to increase the cost, duration and complexity of the project. This chapter provides advice on four areas that need to be considered when planning to run a combined project: staffing, sequencing, data collection and analysis. With staffing there is no ‘perfect’ number of researchers to have on the project; instead thought should be given to the pros and cons of any staffing arrangement. Having administrative support can help. Time should be spent on building a well-functioning project team. When sequencing, realist reviews are commonly conducted first, but it may be acceptable to start primary data collection when a ‘good enough’ programme theory has been developed from the review. When gathering data, having a team with the correct skill mix matters, as does a realistic timeframe that provides space for discussion, analysis and reflection. Data collection methods should adhere to any existing quality standards. Finally, it is important to develop and agree on a coherent data analysis plan and processes; regular data analysis can help, as can respectful and consistent input from stakeholders.
spellingShingle Wong, G
Howe, J
MacPhee, M
Maidment, I
Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
title Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
title_full Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
title_fullStr Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
title_full_unstemmed Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
title_short Combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
title_sort combining realist reviews with realist evaluations
work_keys_str_mv AT wongg combiningrealistreviewswithrealistevaluations
AT howej combiningrealistreviewswithrealistevaluations
AT macpheem combiningrealistreviewswithrealistevaluations
AT maidmenti combiningrealistreviewswithrealistevaluations