Fundamentals of Realist Evaluation

Course Summary

This two half-day online course will look to introduce the main components and philosophy of realist evaluation and endeavour to equip participants with the knowledge and tools to apply realist evaluation in their specific context. It will use examples and resources to aid in the learning and look to use the experience and current roles of participants to highlight how realist evaluation can be implemented.

The training will cover areas such as why realist evaluation is important and how to apply it, as well as looking in more detail at areas such as programme theory and explanatory statement building, how to explore these, ways to test and refine your theories and assumptions, and how to analyse and present these to relevant stakeholders.

The course also includes some case study material from real life projects undertaken by the trainers, demonstrating areas such as how to design a realist evaluation and how to apply and interpret data. It will also highlight how to work with stakeholders in a participatory way, how to overcome challenges, and generally bring realist evaluation to life.

Audience

This training is suitable for anyone involved in evaluation who is interested in understanding complexity and the explanations behind the outcomes we see in programmes, interventions and systems. This may apply to evaluators and practitioners who are new to realist evaluation as well as those who may have experience of the approach and wish to refresh their knowledge.

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will learn:

• The philosophical foundations of realist evaluation and be able to demonstrate an understanding of realist evaluation.
• Key principles for developing programme theories and explanatory accounts.
• Key principles for exploring and testing programme theories in evaluation.
• Key principles for refining programme theories in evaluation.
• How to communicate findings and learning from a realist evaluation.
• The strengths and weaknesses of applying realist evaluation.
• How realist evaluation aligns with other evaluation methods.

Trainers

Dr Kevin Harris is an established evaluator and Associate Professor heading up FHA Consulting. He brings a wealth of contextual knowledge and experience from working in sport, health and physical activity. He specialises at a national level in realist evaluations, professional capacity building and collaborative working with community-based organisations. Dr Harris’s main research interests lie within the areas of evidence, and realist collaborative approaches to evaluation with practitioners in sports management, sport for development and public health. Dr Harris has published widely around this area and has recently published the first ‘Evaluation’ book of its kind focused on evidence in sport and leisure with Routledge. He is passionate about knowledge exchange disseminating academic knowledge into the real world.

Henry Dorling is an experienced Senior Lecturer and evaluator, skilled in stakeholder development and community-based partnership working. He is undertaking a PhD using realist evaluation methodology and has worked across academia and in sport development. His work has been disseminated through peer reviewed academic journal papers, book chapters and presentations at national and international conferences, as well as industry publications.

Louis Ryan is an evaluator with experience in innovative evaluation methods in systems/place-based approaches. He also provides training to stakeholders and community representatives around evaluation methods and fostering evaluative thinking. He has previous experience as a practitioner working for a charity to engage young people in sport and physical activity.

Access Details:

This course is offered fully online. Access details will be provided after the booking window closes at 1400 GMT on 4 November 2024.

If you have any alternative support needs in order to effectively participate in this training, please let us know before booking or as soon as possible after booking by emailing our team on hello@evaluation.org.uk . We look forward to assisting you in whatever way we can.

Refunds/Cancellations:

Refunds will only be provided for participant cancellations received at least 14 days prior to the event. UKES reserves the right to cancel the event, in which case a full refund would be provided.

Fees*

Members                      £150 + VAT
Student Members       £100 + VAT

• Members have priority booking though 31 August 2024.

Non-Members             £200 + VAT

• Non-member booking opens on 1 September 2024.

Bookings close at 1400 4 November 2024.

REGISTER HERE

*Student bursaries available for full-time students at UK institutions. Apply here: https://www.evaluation.org.uk/student-bursaries-for-ukes-training-courses/