Elaborating the Context-Mechanism-Outcome configuration (CMOc) in realist evaluation: A critical realist perspective

Abstract

This article aims to contribute to the methodological discussion initiated by Pawson and Manzano-Santaella (2012). It proposes a possible elaboration of the 'trio of explanatory components' (Pawson and Tilley, 1997: 77) used as a strategy in realist evaluation − the Context-Mechanism-Outcome configuration (CMOc). This temporarily diverts attention away from social programs to focus on the pre-existing context of action and related mechanisms that may be operating within it. It draws on the conceptual and theoretical guidance offered in Roy Bhaskar's Transformational Model of Social Action (TMSA) and elaborated later by Margaret Archer in Realist Social Theory: The Morphogenetic Approach. The article concludes by articulating how the CMOc elaboration complements the work on realist evaluation.

Culture, context and society - The underexplored potential of critical realism as a philosophical framework for theory and practice

“…This includes examining cognitive and material resource allocations to different positions in social structures and the acknowledgement that different group interests and priorities may or may not contribute to interest‐motivated transformations in society. While investigations into power relations are associated with critical perspectives in general, within realism, other aspects of relations like institutional and culturally defined duties, rights and so on remain open for examination in research (de Souza, , p. 151).…”

An analysis of the policy coverage and examination of environmental-impact topics

“…This explanatory theory seeks to understand the operations of social programmes by evaluating their operational successes and failures for various interest groups functioning in a particular context (De Souza, 2013). De Souza (2013) describes RST as a social theory focusing on how individuals and society are related and how the interactions between them might bring about or hinder change in the social context of interest. Young (2008) and Creswell (2011) explain that knowledge is socially produced and that it is dependent on social interests and the related dynamics of power as individuals seek understanding of the world in which they live and work.…”

“…In order to describe and explain the mechanisms of the workings of a society, social realists have adopted certain terminology. Such terminology includes 'structure', 'culture', 'agency' and 'relations ' (De Souza, 2013). In this paper, 'structure' refers to prevailing institutional structural conditions that can produce a particular outcome, such as the curriculum as it is actually taught.…”

Standing back and looking forward: Editors’ reflections on the 20th Anniversary of Evaluation

“…For example, they note that the single most frequent 'type' of evaluation referred to in this journal is from the 'realist' school; only exceeded by the frequency of reference to Ray Pawson and Nick Tilley! In part this may well reflect editorial 'bias' -since the late 1990s we have been pleased to publish a series of articles that mark the evolution of realist thinking from context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations, through to 'realist synthesis' (see for example de Souza, 2013;Koenig, 2009;Manzano-Santaella, 2011;Marchal et al, 2012;Pawson, 2002aPawson, , 2002bPawson, , 2003Pedersen and Rieper, 2008). It also reflects the enormous influence and interest in realist ontologies and methodologies among the authors we publish, an interest, it would appear from feedback is mirrored among our readership.…”