RAMESES publication standards: realist syntheses
TLDR
This project used multiple sources to develop and draw together evidence and expertise in realist synthesis and hopes that these standards will act as a resource that will contribute to improving the reporting of realist syntheses.Abstract:
Background: There is growing interest in realist synthesis as an alternative systematic review method. This approach offers the potential to expand the knowledge base in policy-relevant areas - for example, by explaining the success, failure or mixed fortunes of complex interventions. No previous publication standards exist for reporting realist syntheses. This standard was developed as part of the RAMESES (Realist And MEta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards) project. The project’s aim is to produce preliminary publication standards for realist systematic reviews. Methods: We (a) collated and summarized existing literature on the principles of good practice in realist syntheses; (b) considered the extent to which these principles had been followed by published syntheses, thereby identifying how rigor may be lost and how existing methods could be improved; (c) used a three-round online Delphi method with an interdisciplinary panel of national and international experts in evidence synthesis, realist research, policy and/or publishing to produce and iteratively refine a draft set of methodological steps and publication standards; (d) provided real-time support to ongoing realist syntheses and the open-access RAMESES online discussion list so as to capture problems and questions as they arose; and (e) synthesized expert input, evidence syntheses and real-time problem analysis into a definitive set of standards. Results: We identified 35 published realist syntheses, provided real-time support to 9 on-going syntheses and captured questions raised in the RAMESES discussion list. Through analysis and discussion within the project team, we summarized the published literature and common questions and challenges into briefing materials for the Delphi panel, comprising 37 members. Within three rounds this panel had reached consensus on 19 key publication standards, with an overall response rate of 91%. Conclusion: This project used multiple sources to develop and draw together evidence and expertise in realist synthesis. For each item we have included an explanation for why it is important and guidance on how it might be reported. Realist synthesis is a relatively new method for evidence synthesis and as experience and methodological developments occur, we anticipate that these standards will evolve to reflect further methodological developments. We hope that these standards will act as a resource that will contribute to improving the reporting of realist syntheses. To encourage dissemination of the RAMESES publication standards, this article is co-published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing and is freely accessible on Wiley Online Library (http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jan). Please see related article http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/20 and http://www.biomedcentral.com/ 1741-7015/11/22read more
Citations
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Developing Initial Middle Range Theories in Realist Evaluation: A Case of an Organisational Intervention
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors developed four initial MRTs based on four mechanisms of participation, leadership commitment, communication, and tailoring the intervention to fit the organisational context to formulate 'what may work for whom in which circumstances?' in organisational interventions.
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International investment liberalization, transnational corporations and NCD prevention policy non-decisions: a realist review on the political economy of tobacco, alcohol and ultra-processed food.
TL;DR: In this paper, a review aimed to synthesise the available evidence using a political economy approach, to understand why, how and under what conditions transnational corporations may use the international investment regime to promote NCD prevention policy non-decisions.
Journal ArticleDOI
Understanding the positive outcomes of discharge planning interventions for older adults hospitalized following a fall: a realist synthesis.
Véronique Provencher,Monia D’Amours,Matthew Menear,Natasa Obradovic,Nathalie Veillette,Marie-Josée Sirois,Marie-Jeanne Kergoat +6 more
TL;DR: In this paper, a realist synthesis aimed to better understand when, where, for whom, why and how the components of these interventions produce positive outcomes was presented. And preliminary theories were then formulated based on an iterative synthesis process, which will help to develop effective interventions throughout the continuum of transitional care to enhance patients' health and reduce the economic burden of avoidable care.
Journal ArticleDOI
Systematic reviews: an important anniversary, new reporting standards, and potential greater impact
Jane Noyes,Mark Hayter +1 more
TL;DR: There is a need for higher quality reviews of qualitative evidence using appropriate and robust methodologies to develop theory and hypotheses, and new more rigorously tested methodologies for the synthesis of diverse evidence in combination with new publication standards are likely to meet policy maker and practitioner demands for higherquality reviews of greater relevance to patients.
Journal ArticleDOI
How, why, for whom and in what context, do sexual health clinics provide an environment for safe and supported disclosure of sexual violence: protocol for a realist review.
TL;DR: To understand how safe and supported disclosure of sexual violence works within sexual health services a realist review will be undertaken with the following steps: Focussing of the review including a scoping literature search and guidance from an advisory group.
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