L'approche Realist à l'épreuve du réel de l'évaluation des programmes

Abstract

The Realist approach suggests a way to grasp the complexity of social interventions, through questioning what works, for whom, and under what circumstances. We present here some challenges and discussion on the use of this methodological innovation, based on an analysis of our own experience and an examination of the scientific literature. Although the Realist approach seems intellectually attractive, building its "Context-Mechanism-Outcome" configurations proves problematic. Finding the necessary information about context and outcome, differentiating contextrelated elements from those related to mechanisms, and adopting an accurate level of analysis are among the challenges in using the Realist approach. Copyright © 2012 Canadian Evaluation Society.