As Astbury and Leeuw [14] state, mechanisms in realism are: “underlying entities, processes, or structures which operate in particular contexts to generate outcomes of interest.” ( p. 368)

The context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configuration is used as the main structure for realist analysis. Qualitative data are coded and appropriate methods for analysing quantitative data applied. The data on outcomes are disaggregated by sub-groups (which were selected on the basis of the programme theory).

A CMO configuration is a proposition stating what it is about an initiative that works, for whom and in what circumstances.

The overarching aim in a realist evaluation is to understand the complex relationship between these mechanisms and the effect that context has on their operationalisation and outcome. This is summed up as context + mechanism = outcome. 4. This is subsequently represented as context–mechanism–outcome (CMO) configuration …

Context has often been defined by realist scholars as ‘social rules, values, sets of interrelationships’ that operate within times and spaces that either constrain or support the activation of programme mechanisms (Pawson & Tilley, 1997. (1997).

1 showing awareness and acceptance of reality. 2 practical or pragmatic rather than ideal or moral. 3 (of a book, film, etc.) depicting or emphasizing what is real and actual rather than abstract or ideal.

The framework emphasizes four phases of intervention development, feasibility and piloting, evaluation, and implementation which take place as an iterative rather than a linear process. For this, a prospective, theory-driven process of intervention design and evaluation is required.

Realism research philosophy relies on the idea of independence of reality from the human mind. This philosophy is based on the assumption of a scientific approach to the development of knowledge. In other words, direct realism portrays the world through personal human senses.

An outcome evaluation measures a program’s results and determines whether intended outcomes were achieved. It tests hypotheses by comparing conditions before and after participation, by comparing participants with similar individuals who did not participate, or by comparing a combination of both.

Within the scientific realism approach, Pawson and Tilley [1] have provided their own conceptualisation of mechanisms; mechanisms are a combination of resources offered by the social programme under study and stakeholders’ reasoning in response [1].

Theory based evaluation is an approach to evaluation (i.e., a conceptual analytical model) and not a specific method or technique. It is a way of structuring and undertaking analysis in an evaluation. A theory of change explains how an intervention is expected to produce its results.

More Examples Of Mechanisms

• Gears and gear trains.
• Belt and chain drives.
• Cam and followers.
• Linkage.
• Friction devices, including brakes and clutches.
• Structural components, including a frame, fasteners, bearings, springs, lubricants.
• Various elements of a machine, including splines, pins, and keys.

Realist evaluation researchers orient their thinking to context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) pattern configurations. A CMO configuration is a proposition stating what it is about an IS initiative which works for whom in what circumstances. A refined CMO configuration is the finding of IS evaluation research.

Context-mechanism-outcome configurations (CMOCs) were extrapolated to build and iteratively refine the programme theory and finalise it for testing. Twelve CMOCs were extrapolated from these data to form the initial programme theory and seven were prioritised by the expert panel for focused testing.

The realist approach demands that the relationship between the context, mechanisms and outcomes in an implementation setting be explored. The context-mechanism-outcome configurations (‘CMOCs’; i.e., C + M = O) that are uncovered become part of an explanatory theory (the initial programme theory; IPT) to be tested and refined.

The resulting research led to the ‘Context Mechanism Outcome’ (CMO) model that we are now developing at CPS. In this model, our CCs posit a hypothesis about the impact of a specific intervention or initiative on the outcomes for an identified group of pupils within their domain. This is called the ‘programme theory’.