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 

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

plastic bottles
Pictured in the NU-OMICS DNA sequencing research facility at Northumbria University are (left to right) Andrew Nelson, Kim Nguyen-Phuoc, Dr Matthew Bashton, Clare McCann and Professor Darren Smith.
Feeding Families volunteer holding a box in the warehouse
an image of the Earth from space
New study demonstrates an inclusive approach to leading research
a illustration showing a Victorian courtroom scene
Members of the Common Sense Policy Group at Northumbria University have released a new report with Insights North East which presents cutting-edge evidence on regional public opinion on the future of transport policy in the North East.
All Jumbled Up Report Cover
More events

Upcoming events

Interior Educators Conference 2024
-

Northumbria University Business and Law School

-

Back to top