Table 4.

Relationship between data source, analysis approaches and research objectives

Stage	Data source	Data analysis	Objectives
1	Qualitative: Interviews with programme designers, supporting and evaluation staff from implementation support agencies Public and internal programme documents	Qualitative: Retroductive, theory-driven realist analysis Documentary analysis	(a) Identify the change strategies, processes and theorised mechanisms through which implementation of the seven value-based care initiatives influenced implementation and programme outcomes. (b) Investigate the impact of different contextual circumstances and agents on the mechanisms of initiative implementation over varying timelines.
2	Qualitative: Interviews with local hospital network staff Quantitative: Programme evaluation data Hospital administrative data Implementation outcome surveys	Qualitative: Retroductive, theory-driven realist analysis Quantitative: Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis
3	Data from stage 1, 2 and 3	Mixed methods: Realist triangulation	(c) Develop macro-level, meso-level and micro-level implementation models for successful value-based initiatives in healthcare, based on a mix of implementation strategies and mechanisms in specific contexts that achieve desired implementation outcomes.