Towards defining and advancing storytelling approach in an indigenous realist evaluation
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 6423949 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Meshack Nzesei Mutua (0000-0003-1582-1250, University of Cape Town, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 108-126 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-23 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Evaluation Journal of Australasia (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1035-719X • E-ISSN: 2515-9372 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/1035719x251336866 |
| OpenAlex | W4409696396 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 26 |
Evidence shows that realist evaluations have increasingly used interviews, observations, surveys, and to some extent, other innovative methods such as photovoice, social media, pictures, and diaries. This article describes how the storytelling approach, an indigenous research method, can be applied to uncover latent mechanism in a realist evaluation. This is part of an indigenous – inspired realist evaluation that examined how, why, for whom and under what circumstances the ‘African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence’ (ARISE) program works to strengthen health research capacity. A multi-case study design was employed. The storytelling approach was used among the masters/doctoral trainees. Retroductive reasoning was applied to data analysis. This article demonstrates that the storytelling approach generates rich data on context and, to some extent, outcomes. However, to unearth ontologically deep evidence on mechanism, follow-up interviews should be conducted following the realist interviewing technique. The storytelling approach in realist evaluation centres the voices of the participants and addresses the power asymmetry between the researcher and the researched, thus making it a useful research tool in furthering the decolonisation agenda. This article provides practical guidance to future evaluators on how to apply the storytelling approach in [indigenous] realist evaluation
Biology · Engineering ethics · Epistemology · Indigenous · Linguistics · Narrative · Sociology · Storytelling · Community Health and Development · Engineering · Evaluation and Performance Assessment · Philosophy · Service-Learning and Community Engagement · Ecology
Realist review - a new method of systematic review designed for complex policy interventions
Methods in realist evaluation
Conversation Method in Indigenous Research
Using Realist Interviews to Improve Theory on the Mechanisms and Outcomes of Sport for Development Programmes
Conducting focus groups in realist evaluation
Realistic Evaluation and Case Studies
Indigenous Made in Africa Evaluation Frameworks
Cross-cultural realist interviews
How to phrase critical realist interview questions in applied social science research
Using surveys in realist evaluation
The craft of interviewing in realist evaluation
How can a Realist Evaluation Adhere to the Indigenous Research Principles? An Evaluation Protocol of a Health Research Capacity Strengthening Programme
Doing research into Indigenous issues being non-Indigenous
Using the realist interview approach to maintain theoretical awareness in realist studies
Traditional storytelling
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |