Book review: Doing realist research
| Author | Emma Williams |
| Published date | 01 December 2018 |
| Date | 01 December 2018 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/1035719X18804422 |
| Subject Matter | Book review |
https://doi.org/10.1177/1035719X18804422
Evaluation Journal of Australasia
2018, Vol. 18(4) 256 –257
© The Author(s) 2018
Article reuse guidelines:
sagepub.com/journals-permissions
DOI: 10.1177/1035719X18804422
journals.sagepub.com/home/evj
Book review
Nick Emmel, Joanne Greenhalgh, Ana Manzano, Mark Monaghan & Sonia Dalkin, Doing realist
research. London, England: SAGE, 2018; ISBN 978-1473977891, pp. 251.
$55.60 (paperback version).
Reviewed by: Emma Williams, Charles Darwin University, Australia
Many of the authors in this book are well-known in the realist field, but there are also
contributions from some authors who are at an earlier stage of their realist career.
There are two authors who are Australian realists and members of the Australasian
Evaluation Society – Gill Westhorp and Brad Astbury who have contributed a chapter
each.
This book was originally intended to be a Festschrift in honour of Ray Pawson, who
co-founded the notion of ‘realist evaluation’ with Nick Tilley in their 1997 book, Realistic
Evaluation. However, the book evolved into what was intended to be a guide for those
involved in realist research and evaluation, with a good deal of practical help and tips –
together with a glimpse into current discussions about potential new directions in realist
research and evaluation. Some elements give the reader the sensation of eavesdropping
on conversations between leaders in the field, in the ‘friendly disputations’ they more
often have in corners and halls at conferences, or over a glass of something in a pub.
The format is designed to be reader friendly. Each chapter begins with a section
containing a paragraph on ‘What this chapter is about’, ‘How this chapter will help
you to do realist research,’ and a short ‘practical tip’ and intended take home message
from the chapter.
Given that the term ‘realist evaluation’ is not found in any chapter heading, why
would any evaluator want to read this book? In fact, realist evaluation is often the
focus, particularly in first seven chapters and the final chapter. Multiple chapters deal
with different ways of conceptualising and working with ‘mechanisms’, often the
most challenging aspect of realist evaluations. For those whose work includes litera-
ture reviews, and who are interested in realist review approaches, Chapters 8 through
11 offer excellent and clear guidance.
The book may disappoint those who want a step-by-step guide to conducting a real-
ist evaluation, but is likely to be of interest both to those who want practical tips in
804422EVJ0010.1177/1035719X18804422Evaluation Journal of AustralasiaBook review
book-review2018
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