Table 1.
Stage | Activities | Analysis | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
1. Theory | • Systematic review of the literature • Semi-structured interviews with sponsors and facilitators of CoPs • Formulate CMO configurations |
• Qualitative -- Identify themes and categorise as outcomes, mechanisms, and contextual factors • Formulate potential CMO configurations |
Provide the theoretical basis for the realist evaluation |
2. Hypotheses generation | • Generate hypotheses based on CMO configurations | Rephrase CMO configurations into hypotheses | Formulate hypotheses to be tested during stage three |
3. Observation | • Online survey of CoP members | Quantitative -- • Identify CMO configurations that occur with regularity • Social Network Analysis |
Test and accept, reject, or modify hypotheses Examine structure of professional and social relationships and flow of information and knowledge within the CoP |
4. Program specification | • Review analysis from stage three | Refine theorised CMO configurations based on testing of hypotheses | Specify CMO configurations that explain how, when and why CoPs improve healthcare practice |