Critical Realism and Realist Evaluation and Synthesis

This half-day workshop provides an introduction to critical realism and realist evaluation and synthesis theory and methods. The realist approach is important because it takes us beyond assuming that what we can see and measure is what actually exists, and can help us avoid reductionism in interpreting our research findings. It also allows us to interrogate and better understand the role of complexity in policy, organisational and individual-level interventions. Workshop participants will get an overview of the underlying principles of critical realism and realist evaluation and be given an opportunity to consider and work through applied examples. No prior knowledge or experience is needed to attend this workshop.