Show simple item record

dc.contributor.authorCunningham, U
dc.contributor.authorDe Brún, A
dc.contributor.authorMcAuliffe, E
dc.date.accessioned2021-09-21T15:30:11Z
dc.date.available2021-09-21T15:30:11Z
dc.date.issued2020-05-26
dc.identifier.pmid32456682
dc.identifier.doi10.1186/s12874-020-01016-9
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10147/630438
dc.description.abstractBackground: As realist methodology is still evolving, there is a paucity of guidance on how to conduct theory driven interviews. Realist researchers can therefore struggle to collect interview data that can make a meaningful contribution to refining their initial programme theory. Collecting data to inform realist Inital Programme Theories (IPTs) in healthcare contexts is further compounded due to the healthcare workers' busy work schedules. In this case study of team interventions in acute hospital contexts, we explore the benefits of using the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) in order to build and refine an initial programme theory. We contend that use of the CIT helps to draw on more specific experiences of "Key Informants" and therefore elicits richer and more relevant data for realist enquiry. Methods: The five steps of the CIT were mapped against realist methods guidance and adapted into an interview framework. Specifications to identify an incident as "critical" were agreed. Probes were embedded in the interview framework to confirm, refine and/or refute previous theories. Seventeen participants were interviewed and recordings were transcribed and imported for analysis into NVivo software. Using RAMESES guidelines, Context-Mechanism-Outcomes configurations were extrapolated from a total of 31 incidents. Results: We found that the CIT facilitated construction of an interview format that allowed participants to reflect on specific experiences of interest. We demonstrate how the CIT strengthened initial programme theory development as it facilitated the reporting of the specifics of team interventions and the contexts and mechanisms characteristic of those experiences. As new data emerged, it was possible to evolve previous theories synthesised from the literature as well as to explore new theories. Conclusions: Utilising a CIT framework paid dividends in terms of the relevance and usefulness of the data for refining the initial programme theory. Adapting the CIT questioning technique helped to focus the participants on the specifics relating to an incident allowing the interviewers to concentrate on probes to explore theories during the interview process. The CIT interview format therefore achieved its purpose and can be adapted for use within realist methodology.en_US
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectCritical incident interviewen_US
dc.subjectHOSPITALen_US
dc.subjectinterventionen_US
dc.subjectMethodsen_US
dc.subjectProgramme theoryen_US
dc.subjectRealisten_US
dc.subjectTeamen_US
dc.titleApplication of the critical incident technique in refining a realist initial programme theory.en_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
dc.identifier.eissn1471-2288
dc.identifier.journalBMC medical research methodologyen_US
dc.description.peer-reviewpeer-reviewen_US
dc.source.journaltitleBMC medical research methodology
dc.source.volume20
dc.source.issue1
dc.source.beginpage131
dc.source.endpage
refterms.dateFOA2021-09-21T15:30:12Z
dc.source.countryInternational
dc.source.countryEngland


Files in this item

Thumbnail
Name:
s12874-020-01016-9.pdf
Size:
1.125Mb
Format:
PDF

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record