A framework for strengthening realist synthesis and evaluation by integrating behavioural science
Dados Bibliográficos
| ID | 12567255 |
|---|---|
| Autores | Justin Aunger (0000-0001-6975-4570, University of Birmingham, autor correspondente), Robert Aunger (0000-0001-8136-9376, Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK) |
| Ano | 2026 |
| Data de publicação | 2026-02-16 |
| Peer Reviewed | Sim |
| Open Access | Sim |
| Tipo | ARTICLE |
| Periódico | Evaluation (JOURNAL) |
| Identificadores do periódico | ISSN: 1356-3890 • E-ISSN: 1461-7153 |
| Editora | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/13563890251409726 |
| OpenAlex | W7129330732 |
| Idioma | EN |
| Referências citadas | 49 |
Understanding the mechanisms and contexts that drive the success of complex health interventions remains a challenge. Realist methods, grounded in scientific realism, generate context-sensitive programme theories to explain how, why and for whom interventions work, but these theories often lack structured operationalisation to inform comparison or intervention design. Behavioural science, by contrast, systematically identifies and modifies behaviour change mechanisms using theory-driven frameworks, but has been criticised for insufficiently considering context. Integrating these may enhance the precision, standardisation and applicability of realist programme theories. This novel approach leverages behavioural science concepts such as behaviour change techniques and mechanisms of action to clarify mechanisms, and uses the idea of behavioural settings to explicate context. Together, this establishes a common language for programme theory formulation, making them more structured, testable and transferable. A five-step framework for integration is proposed for realist studies, facilitating more precise and transferable theories that support intervention design and policy translation
Action (physics · Behaviour change · Behavioural economics · Behavioural sciences · Critical realism (philosophy of perception · Intervention (counseling · Psychological intervention · Theory of change · Advanced Causal Inference Techniques · Behavioral Health and Interventions · Health Policy Implementation Science
Scientific Realism
An Introduction to Scientific Realist Evaluation
A taxonomy of behaviour change methods
Rameses II reporting standards for realist evaluations
The behaviour change wheel
The Health Belief Model and Preventive Health Behavior
Assumptions in theories of change
The Comparative Method
Contextual Behavioral Science
Theory of Change Analysis
Useful Theory of Change Models
Is realist evaluation keeping its promise? A review of published empirical studies in the field of health systems research
Unpacking context in realist evaluations
Understanding ‘context’ in realist evaluation and synthesis
Feasibility and desirability of a realist CMOC database
The contributions of scientific realism and critical realism to realist evaluation
The Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy (v1) of 93 Hierarchically Clustered Techniques
Behavioural science is unlikely to change the world without a heterogeneity revolution
| Velocidade de citação | historical |
|---|---|
| Altamente citado | Não |