Skip navigation

New book explains how realist research can shape public policy

18th July 2018

A new book co-edited by a Northumbria University academic aims to help policy makers, health practitioners and academics to develop and evaluate social interventions more effectively.

‘Doing Realist Research’ is edited by Dr Nick Emmel, Dr Joanne Greenhalgh, Dr Ana Manzano, Dr Mark Monaghan and Dr Sonia Dalkin. Dr Dalkin is a Senior Lecturer in Public Health in our Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.

Realist research and evaluation methodologies are becoming increasingly popular in the development of social policy, as they focus on understanding the mechanisms by which an intervention does or doesn’t work.

‘Doing Realist Research’ brings together leading theorists, researchers and policy makers with expertise in using realist methods and offers a definitive guide to putting realist methodologies into practice.

It features practical, worked examples of how to turn theory into evidence and empowers readers not just to understand realist methods, but to use them.

The book aims to help readers negotiate the complexity of relational systems and understand the importance and relevance of cumulative theory, so they can produce useful evidence for policy.

It will also help readers to choose cases, methods and strategies for analysis as well as be flexible and creative in their approaches.

Dr Sonia Dalkin is a Social Scientist at Northumbria University and active member of Fuse, the Centre for Translation Public Health Research. She has over 8 years experience in realist approaches and now provides training in the approach throughout the UK and internationally. Her work portfolio reflects her realist experience with projects in palliative care, care planning, dementia care, advice services, sports coaching and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs).

Dr Sonia Dalkin is a Social Scientist at Northumbria University and active member of Fuse, the Centre for Translation Public Health Research. She has over 8 years experience in realist approaches and now provides training in the approach throughout the UK and internationally. Her work portfolio reflects her realist experience with projects in palliative care, care planning, dementia care, advice services, sports coaching and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs). Dr Sonia Dalkin is a Social Scientist at Northumbria University and active member of Fuse, the Centre for Translation Public Health Research. She has over 8 years experience in realist approaches and now provides training in the approach throughout the UK and internationally. Her work portfolio reflects her realist experience with projects in palliative care, care planning, dementia care, advice services, sports coaching and Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs).Dr Sonia Dalkin has over eight years of experience in realist approaches and provides training across the UK and internationally. Her experience includes using realist approaches within a variety of topic areas, including palliative care, care planning, dementia care, advice services, sports coaching and Patient Reported Outcome Methods (PROMs).

Dr Dalkin said: “This book will be of interest to anyone working or researching within the field of health, including academics, policy makers, health practitioners and post-graduate students. It is a timely addition to the ongoing development and application of realist methods across evaluation, synthesis, and social research. “

‘Doing Realist Research’ is available to buy on Amazon 

comments powered by Disqus
a sign in front of a crowd
+

Northumbria Open Days

Open Days are a great way for you to get a feel of the University, the city of Newcastle upon Tyne and the course(s) you are interested in.

Research at Northumbria
+

Research at Northumbria

Research is the life blood of a University and at Northumbria University we pride ourselves on research that makes a difference; research that has application and affects people's lives.

NU World
+

Explore NU World

Find out what life here is all about. From studying to socialising, term time to downtime, we’ve got it covered.


Latest News and Features

academic Jennifer Aston pictured in a law library holding an open book
Launch of The Regeneration Shop in Chopwell. Sarah Cotton, Senior Programmes Manager at Chopwell Regeneration Group; Jennine Wilson, Lecturer in Fashion and Senior Technician at Northumbria University; Hal Convery, Shop Manager at The Regeneration Shop; Crystal Hicks, Executive Director of Chopwell Regeneration Group; Gayle Cantrell, Assistant Professor BA Fashion Communication at Northumbria University; Sophie Wetherell, Assistant Professor BA Fashion / MA Fashion Design at Northumbria University; Emma Jane Goldsmith Assistant Professor BA Fashion / MA Fashion Design at Northumbria University; Professor Anne Peirson-Smith, Head of Fashion at Northumbria University.
Mooting
A new toolkit has been developed to support rural communities with the development of renewable energy projects. Photo: Adobe Stock
From left to right: Natalie Winchester, Subject Lead Health and Social Care and Post-16 Raising Standard Leader at Bede Academy, Dr Julie Derbyshire – Director of Apprenticeships and Assistant Professor in Nursing at Northumbria University, Andrew Thelwell – Principal at Bede Academy, Professor Alison Machin, Head of Department of Nursing, Midwifery and Health at Northumbria University and pupils from Bede Academy.
British Military Uniform
the planet Saturn
an image depicting cyber security

Back to top