Reflecting on Reflexivity in Realist Evaluation: A Call to Action

• Published in: International journal of qualitative methods Vol. 23
• Main Authors: Downey, John, Harris, Nicky, Rybczynska-Bunt, Sarah, Golder, Elena, Shearn, Katie, Bradley, Natasha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.09.2024; Sage Publications Ltd; SAGE Publishing
• Subjects: Epistemology; Evaluation; Morality; Reflexivity; Relativism; research quality; research methods; reflexivity; rigour; realist evaluation
• ISSN: 1609-4069; 1609-4069
• DOI: 10.1177/16094069241284206

Realist evaluation is increasingly utilised across disciplines due to the value of identifying which mechanisms may explain how, and why, particular outcomes are generated in specific contexts. In theory, realist evaluation provides a tangible way to analyse the inherent complexity in many pressing societal challenges. Realist evaluation encourages a mixed methods approach and choosing a suite of methods that are most relevant within a specific project. Yet, navigating a plurality of methods with abstract philosophical concepts brings operational challenges such that, further methodological guidance is needed. Research processes can be opaque and although the relativist epistemology in realist evaluation is acknowledged, the role of the researcher within the research is often unclear. Reflexivity broadly concerns the overt practice to consider how subjective perspective is intertwined in knowledge production. Reflexivity has been a peripheral consideration in realist evaluation to date and this paper outlines what reflexivity entails, how it enhances integrity to realist principles, and practical ways to exercise it. Through a realist lens the evaluation process is itself subject to the impact of mechanisms and reflexivity provides the apparatus to guard against tunnel vision, undertake robust theory generation and adjudication and increase one’s awareness of the influence of personal and organisational entities on research processes and outputs. We conclude with a call to action to the realist community to mobilise reflexivity in a consistent and explicit manner.