What is a major challenge with formative realist case evaluations?

In formative realist case evaluations, a primary challenge is articulating and testing mechanisms of change. This approach focuses on understanding how and why certain outcomes occur in specific contexts, emphasizing the relationships among various factors involved in the change process. To effectively evaluate these mechanisms, evaluators must not only identify the mechanisms but also provide clear, evidence-based arguments for how they function within the context of the case being studied. This requires not only an in-depth understanding of the domain but also the ability to analyze and interpret complex interactions, which can prove to be quite challenging.

In contrast, identifying key stakeholders, generating large sample sizes, and adhering strictly to research protocols, while important elements in evaluation research, do not capture the core complexity and nuance needed in formative realist evaluations. Stakeholder identification is generally a preliminary step and although significant, it doesn’t speak to the evaluative depth of understanding mechanisms. Sample size quality is often prioritized over quantity in qualitative evaluations, particularly in formative realism, where context and detailed insight into fewer cases can be more valuable than broader statistical insights. Lastly, strict adherence to research protocols may limit the flexibility needed to explore emerging themes or unexpected findings during evaluations, which are crucial for a formative realist approach. Thus, the complexity and dynamism of articulating