Speakers:
Cara Donohue, Research Fellow
Dr Liz Meggetto, Senior Research Fellow
Dr Kerryn O’Rourke, Senior Research Fellow
of the Realist Research, Evaluation and Learning Initiative (RREALI) Team, Charles Darwin University
Tuesday 14th November 2023, 09:00 – 10:00 GMT (please note earlier than usual start time)
Realist evaluation is a methodology, not a method. It is the application of a realist philosophy of science to the practice of evaluation. Realist methodology does not prescribe a step-by-step process for analysing data, and it is common for new realist scholars to find this lack of practical instruction a bit daunting. This presentation will show how three realist evaluators from the Realist Research Evaluation and Learning Initiative (RREALI) at Charles Darwin University in Australia analysed data to test and refine theory. The retroductive thinking was the same, but the practical processes differed. These demonstrations may help others approach realist analysis, as well as transparently document analysis as required by evaluation reporting standards.
Please note that the talk may be recorded.
Speaker Biographies:
Cara Donohue has been a Research Fellow with the Realist Research, Evaluation and Learning Initiative (RREALI) at Charles Darwin University in Australia since 2020. Cara has a background in the international and community development fields, and has worked in university, international and domestic Non-Governmental Organisation settings. She specialises in evaluation, research, and programme design, particularly using realist and theory-based approaches. Cara first joined a realist evaluation in 2015, a five-country evaluation of child sponsorship programmes. She continues to specialise in realist work because she feels it is effective in exploring the depth, complexity and contradictions of international development work.
Dr Liz Meggetto is a Senior Research Fellow at Charles Darwin University, Australia, joining the team in 2021. Liz has been using realist methodology since 2015, completing a realist review and evaluation on Organisational Health Literacy as part of her PhD. Liz worked as a health executive for over 10 years in the Australian state of Victoria health system, having experience in primary health, health promotion and public health. Liz is passionate about using realist approaches to support the development of health programmes to ensure continuous quality improvement of programme delivery and effectiveness, leading to improved health outcomes for consumers.
Dr Kerryn O’Rourke is a Senior Research Fellow in the RREALI team and has been working in realist research and evaluation for five years, specialising in public health, health promotion, health equity, health and social care, and maternity care. Kerryn also enjoys methodological development. She has published work on the integration of cross-cultural qualitative research and realist interview methods and is currently leading a project exploring whether and how realist methodology can be integrated with qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). Kerryn values realist methodology for its usefulness in understanding how differential outcomes occur, to inform the promotion of social and health equity. Kerryn has a PhD, Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Practice), Master of Public Health (International Health), Grad Diploma in Health Promotion, and a Bachelor of Nursing.