Realist matrices are a complementary approach to outcomes chains and other programme logic models. A realist matrix focuses on the causal mechanisms at work in a programme or project. It specifies what exactly in the programme creates the outcomes, and under what conditions.
A realist matrix will include:
- Agency: Whose actions exactly are causing the change to occur?
- Context: considers the external variables or ‘moderators’ that affect outcomes, including the impact of the social and political situation
- Resources being provided
- Mechanism: How the resources and the thing/person being changed interact
- The outcome: What the anticipated change is under the specified conditions
Outcomes are understood to be the result of the interaction between resources being provided and the way that participants respond to these. This interaction is influenced by the context, and the response will be different under different conditions, so a realist matrix helps answer the question ‘what works for whom under what conditions?’
A realist matrix is usually presented in the form of a table, with columns representing the fields listed above.
Source: Funnell, S. and Rogers, P. (2011) Chapter 7.
Example
Example of a Realist Matrix Logic Model of a Computer Project taken from Funnell & Rogers (2011) p. 249.
|
Context |
Mechanism |
Outcome |
|
Conscientious students with strong literacy skills but no prior computer experience |
Skill development |
Achieve a threshold level of computer skills that makes it possible to start an internship |
|
Students with literacy and numeracy problems and poor behaviour |
Skill development does not occur |
Do not achieve a threshold levels of computer skills |
|
Students with existing computer experience, skills and confidence |
Skill development does not occur. |
No change to level of skills |
Funnell, S., & Rogers, P. (2011). Purposeful program theory: Effective use of theories of change and logic models. (ch 7). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons
Advice
Advice for CHOOSING this option (tips and traps)
- Think about which programme outcomes are most susceptible to being influenced by external factors and conditions. How will the mechanism at work change under different conditions, and with what affect on the outcome?
Advice for USING this option (tips and traps)
- Think about how you can use the matrix to improve the effectiveness of your programme. Given what you know about the impact of context on casual mechanisms, what risks to programme outcomes exist and how can these be mitigated? Under what conditions will the desired outcomes be achieved how can these conditions be encouraged? If the most important external conditions cannot be changed, think about which approach, agents and resources are most effective under the prevailing conditions.
Resources
Example
- ‘Developing a Logic Model or Theory of Change’ - provides an overview of logic models and theory of change, including strengths, weaknesses, practical guidance and examples.
Guide
- Purposeful program theory: effective use of theories of change and logic models - This book shows how to develop, represent, and use program theory thoughtfully and strategically to suit your particular situation.
Sources
Funnell, S., & Rogers, P. (2011). Purposeful program theory: Effective use of theories of change and logic models. (ch 7). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons. Can be purchased through http://www.josseybass.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0470478578.html
Milstein, B and Chapel, T. (2011) ‘Developing a Logic Model or Theory of Change’, The Community Tool Box, Work Group for Community Health and Development, University of Kansas, retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_examples_1877.aspx
Comments
It may be useful to point out that a Realist Matrix, as described above, is compatable with a case-based Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) approach (discussed elsewhere on the BE website.)A QCA analysis requires a data set of cases, with specific attributes and known outcomes. The attributes can be a mix of Context attributes and Intervention attributes, of the kind given in the matrix above. QCA then reduces the data set to a smaller set of specific configurations of attributes that account for all cases, known as a truth table. The matrix above is a kind of truth table, showing three different CMO configurations. What has been less clear to me (perhaps because I have not read enough) is how Realist Evaluation process identify the configurations that account for all known cases.
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