TY - JOUR
T1 - The ResQ approach: theory building across disciplines using realist evaluation science and QCA
AU - Renmans, D
N1 - FTX; (CC BY)
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - The last decades have seen an enormous growth in published research and evaluations, which makes it difficult for a researcher to stay up-to-date in their own field, let alone complement their knowledge with insights from other fields. In this paper we give an elaborate overview of a methodology that aims to tackle this task. It builds on the realist evaluation science approach and combines it with qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), hence its name: the ResQ approach. Central to the approach are generative mechanisms that can be found across fields, domains, sectors and contexts. The approach sets out to synthesize the evidence on the circumstances linked to the triggering of these mechanisms. QCA is used to identify the most relevant conditions, leading to theories around these mechanisms, called ‘mechanism concepts’. New studies can test, and refine the mechanism concepts, setting up a continuous cycle of theory-building across disciplines enabling us to learn from other fields, disciplines and contexts in a systematic way.
AB - The last decades have seen an enormous growth in published research and evaluations, which makes it difficult for a researcher to stay up-to-date in their own field, let alone complement their knowledge with insights from other fields. In this paper we give an elaborate overview of a methodology that aims to tackle this task. It builds on the realist evaluation science approach and combines it with qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), hence its name: the ResQ approach. Central to the approach are generative mechanisms that can be found across fields, domains, sectors and contexts. The approach sets out to synthesize the evidence on the circumstances linked to the triggering of these mechanisms. QCA is used to identify the most relevant conditions, leading to theories around these mechanisms, called ‘mechanism concepts’. New studies can test, and refine the mechanism concepts, setting up a continuous cycle of theory-building across disciplines enabling us to learn from other fields, disciplines and contexts in a systematic way.
KW - Realism
KW - Mechanism
KW - Qualitative comparative analysis
KW - Research synthesis
KW - Theory building
UR - https://www.webofscience.com/api/gateway?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=itm_wosliteitg&SrcAuth=WosAPI&KeyUT=WOS:000771651900001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=WOS_CPL
U2 - 10.1080/13645579.2022.2052695
DO - 10.1080/13645579.2022.2052695
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
SN - 1364-5579
VL - 26
SP - 469
EP - 482
JO - International Journal of Social Research Methodology
JF - International Journal of Social Research Methodology
IS - 4
ER -