Data extraction and theory refinement in Realist Synthesis: an intermediate workshop (In-Person)

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Date: 29th April 2027

Time: 09:30 – 15:30

Location: University College Dublin

Skill level: Intermediate

Places: 30

Target audience: Academics, researchers, librarians, information specialists, decision makers, and Evidence Synthesis Ireland fellows who would like to learn more about realist synthesis. Participants should have some basic understanding of realist synthesis. This will not be an introductory session, but will go more in-depth on concepts and principles of data extraction and theory refinement.

Prerequisites: Prior training and/or some basic knowledge of realist synthesis.

Background

Realist synthesis is an increasingly utilised approach to evidence synthesis, particularly within health and social policy research, where understanding why and for whom interventions work is as important as whether they work. Whilst introductory training can equip researchers with a foundational understanding of the realist approach, developing the methodological rigour required to conduct high-quality realist reviews demands deeper engagement with the more complex, iterative elements. This workshop builds directly on prior introductory training and responds to a recognised need for intermediate-level development opportunities that address the practical and epistemological challenges of data extraction, CMOC (generative causation) construction, and programme theory refinement. It is designed for researchers and academics who are ready to move beyond foundational principles and strengthen their capacity to conduct and critically appraise realist synthesis to a high methodological standard.

Aim

The aim of this workshop is to deepen participants’ understanding and practical competence in realist synthesis, with a particular focus on data extraction, the development and refinement of context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs), and the iterative testing of programme theories.

Objectives

The objectives of this workshop are to:

• Develop a critical understanding of data extraction within a realist synthesis, including how to judge the relevance and rigour of sources in relation to programme theory
• Demonstrate competence in constructing, refining and interpreting CMOCs from complex, heterogeneous evidence
• Apply iterative approaches to testing and refining programme theories in response to emerging evidence
• Critically appraise the methodological quality of CMOC development and programme theory refinement in published realist reviews

Learning outcomes

In this course, participants will be enabled to:

• Implement a systematic and theoretically informed approach to data extraction within a realist synthesis, making explicit judgements about the relevance and rigour of evidence in relation to an a priori programme theory
• Construct CMOCs from heterogeneous evidence, articulating the relationships between context, mechanism and outcome with methodological precision
• Refine and interrogate CMOCs iteratively, recognising where and why configurations require revision in light of contradictory or disconfirming evidence
• Apply iterative logic to the testing and refinement of programme theories, moving between data and theory in a manner consistent with realist epistemology
• Critically evaluate the quality of CMOC development and programme theory refinement in published realist reviews, using established quality standards

Teaching strategies

The workshop will consist of a series of short, focused presentations addressing the realist principles underpinning data extraction, CMOC development, and programme theory refinement within a realist synthesis. Presentations will be interspersed with structured practical sessions in which participants will work directly with real or illustrative data sets to construct and interrogate CMOCs, and to iteratively test programme theories against emerging evidence. Facilitated small group discussion will encourage critical reflection on methodological decisions and trade-offs encountered in practice. There will be dedicated time for questions and expert feedback from realist synthesis specialists. The number of participants will be limited to 30.

Attendees should, if possible, bring their laptops – this may be helpful for the practical sessions, where they can work on their own project.

Facilitators

Dr Brynne Gilmore is Assistant Professor of Health Systems in University College Dublin. Brynne is an applied global health researcher who uses theory driven methodologies to evaluate and improve health programmes. She has been using realist reviews and evaluations for over 10 years and across numerous contexts. She has conducted or contributed to over 10 realist reviews or rapid realist reviews and seven realist evaluations. Brynne has written several realist methodology papers and book chapters, including on data analysis and synthesis, advisory groups and article appraisal. She is currently part of a team developing quality reporting standards for realist reviews, and is an advisor on two large international realist projects. She is a frequent peer reviewer and grant reviewer for realist projects, has supervised PhD students using realist methodologies and has examined realist PhDs.

Dr Tracey McConnell is a Lecturer in Chronic Illness and Palliative Care in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen’s University Belfast. She is also an Honorary Marie Curie Senior Research Fellow. She has been using realist approaches for over 10 years across mental health, palliative care and music therapy research. She currently leads an NIHR funded multi-site UK wide realist evaluation and has successfully completed two NIHR funded realist syntheses supported by Prof Geoff Wong. Tracey has supervised MSc and PhD students using a realist approach and is keen to build a realist support network across the Island of Ireland.