ORCID
- Hardwick, Rebecca: 0000-0002-2488-829X
Abstract
Realist evaluation is a method increasingly adopted to provide an understanding of how and why a program works, for whom, and under what circumstances. Initial program theories (IPT) are the crucial starting point of any realist evaluation, however descriptions about how they are developed in practice remain under-reported in the published literature. This article argues for the value of genuine research-group conversations using David Bohm’s concept of dialogue in realist research. We label it the realist dialogic approach. We draw out the relational qualities as well as the contextual circumstances of dialogue through our development of IPT and interview guides for a research study on the implementation and scaling of a large-system value-based program to transform complex health services. We selected the relevant middle-range theories, conducted a literature review, and drew on informal discussions with key stakeholders, to develop IPT through research-group conversations. The benefits of this approach were: 1) development of rigorous, novel, deep and well-tailored IPT, 2) detailed understanding of the complex intervention under investigation and development of rapport and networks with participants, 3) empirically grounded Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) configurations, predicated on suitable abstract and contextually-contingent middle-range theories, and 4) productive research team interactions which supported the entire research process. The challenges of this approach include: 1) establishing and retaining a sense of humility across the research team, 2) contextual circumstances can hinder dialogic relationship, and 3) time and resource heavy. This paper uses middle-range theory and ethnographic insights to advance the existing practice of realist evaluations and offer transferable lessons to other scholars considering similar approaches. Moreover, we content that the use of middle-range theory to extend the methodological literature is a novel contribution to realist work.
DOI
10.1177/16094069221120748
Publication Date
2022-01-01
Publication Title
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE METHODS
Volume
21
ISSN
1609-4069
Organisational Unit
Peninsula Medical School
First Page
160940692211207
Last Page
160940692211207
Recommended Citation
Francis-Auton, E., Sarkies, M., Pomare, C., Long, J., Hardwick, R., Nguyen, H., & Braithwaite, J. (2022) 'Real Talk: A Realist Dialogic Approach in a Realist Evaluation', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUALITATIVE METHODS, 21, pp. 160940692211207-160940692211207. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221120748
