scholarly journals A critical realist approach to systems thinking in evaluation

Evaluation ◽  
2022 ◽  
pp. 135638902110646
Author(s):  
Denise E. De Souza
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Evaluation Practice ◽  
Work Program ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Closed Systems ◽  
Realist Perspective

Pawson and Tilley’s acknowledgment of programs embedded in multiple social systems has gained little traction in realist synthesis and evaluation practice. A practice focusing on fairly closed systems—explaining how programs work and do not work—has emerged. This article negotiates the boundaries of knowledge pertinent to have in program design and evaluation from a realist perspective. It highlights critical realism as another possible response to systems thinking in evaluation. Moving one level up a program, it theorizes about social structures, mechanisms, and causes operating in a complex system within which an education-to-work program is nested. Three implications of the approach are highlighted: it foregrounds the relational nature of social, psychological, and programmatic structures and mechanisms; enables policymakers to develop a broader understanding of structures needed to support a program; and enables program architects to ascertain how a planned program might assimilate and adapt to social structures and mechanisms already established in a context.

scholarly journals Converting Consumerism: A Liturgical-Ethical Application of Critical Realism

Religions ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 338
Author(s):  
Benjamin Durheim
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Sacramental Theology ◽  
Liturgical Theology ◽  
Conceptual Frameworks ◽  
Christian Conversion ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Concrete Application

Critical realism as a lens of thought is not new to theological inquiry, but recently a growing number of theologians have been using its conceptual frameworks to guide their thought on how social structures function theologically, and how ethics might function in light of its insights. This article pulls these developments into the nexus of liturgy and ethics, applying critical realist categories to contemporary understandings of how liturgical celebration (and the structures thereof) form, inform, and/or malform Christian ethical imaginations and practices. The article begins with a brief survey of the main tenets of critical realism and their histories in theological inquiry, and argues that a main gift critical realism can offer liturgical and sacramental theology is a structural understanding of liturgical narrative- and value-building. Having described this gift, the article moves to a concrete application of this method in liturgical theology and its implications for ethics: addressing consumerism as a culture that can be both validated and challenged by liturgical and sacramental structures. The article ends with some brief suggestions for using and shifting liturgical structures to better facilitate the Christian conversion of consumerism.

The SoSM Revisited-A Critical Realist Perspective

2011 ◽  
pp. 122-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Dobson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Theory ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Critical Systems ◽  
Social Situations ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Defining System ◽  
Emancipatory Practice ◽  
Framework System ◽  
Realist Perspective

The chapter revisits the System of System Methodologies (SoSM) and suggests that use of the SoSM as a framework for defining methodological assumptions is difficult when the concerned methodologies have significantly different meanings for one axis of the framework—“system” complexity. It is suggested that the purpose of the underlying system can provide a more appropriate frame for defining system approaches—such purpose being defined as interaction or transformation (Mathiassen & Nielsen, 2000). The chapter also uses aspects of critical realism to provide insights into the SoSM and the critical theory underpinning the framework. The SoSM helped to highlight the neglect of coercive situations and ultimately helped prompt the development of critical systems theory which is focused on three basic commitments, critical awareness, methodological pluralism, and emancipation. Maru and Woodford (2001) recently argue that the focus on emancipation has been relegated due to a concentration on pluralism. This chapter suggests that this is a logical outcome of the epistemological focus of the underlying critical theory of Habermas. The Habermas focus on the epistemological or knowledge-based aspects of the development process must necessarily relegate the importance of ontological matters such as the conditions necessary for emancipatory practice. This chapter proposes that the philosophy of critical realism has insights to offer through its highlighting of the ontological issues in more detail and in arguing for a recognition of the deep structures and mechanisms involved in social situations.

Basic critical realist concepts

2021 ◽  
pp. 41-64
Author(s):  
Priscilla Alderson
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Levels Of Reality ◽  
Closed Systems ◽  
Natural Necessity ◽  
Generative Mechanisms

Chapter 2 sets out basic critical realism concepts to show how they help to resolve the problems examined in Chapter 1. The concepts or themes include: the need to separate ontology-being from epistemology-thinking; the transitive and intransitive; the semiotic triangle; open and closed systems and demi-regs; the possibility of naturalism; natural necessity or the three levels of reality, the empirical, actual and real; a detailed example of the three levels in Mexican neonatal research; retroduction; creative power1 and coercive power2; time sequencing; political economy; the search for generative mechanisms; dichotomies, and policy.

scholarly journals A Critical Realist Perspective on Decisions Involving Risk and Uncertainty

2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Ranyard
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Observational Methods ◽  
Risk And Uncertainty ◽  
Diverse Range ◽  
Shared Reality ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Experimental Process ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Realist Perspective ◽  
Decision Research

Abstract The relevance to decision research of recent advances in the philosophy of social science is considered. The critical realism of Roy Bhaskar argues for the identification of contextually contingent explanatory mechanisms at multiple levels based on concepts grounded in intersubjectively shared reality. Using examples from the author’s and other’s research on the psychology of decisions involving risk and uncertainty, this paper explores the implications of taking a critical realist approach. It is argued that critical realism has the potential to advance and unify disparate experimental and naturalistic lines of research. Furthermore, a diverse range of experimental, process-tracing and observational methods can play important complementary roles in developing fruitful critical realist explanations of decisions involving risk and uncertainty

Theoretical triangulation and pluralism in accounting research: a critical realist critique

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 1138-1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sven Modell
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Theoretical Pluralism ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Knowledge Claims ◽  
Realist Perspective

Purpose – This is a rejoinder to Hoque et al. (2013) previously published in this journal. The purpose of this paper is to further elucidate and extend some of their key arguments related to the use of theoretical triangulation in accounting research. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual discussion focusing on how the understanding of the notion of theoretical triangulation can be enhanced from a critical realist perspective. Findings – The author draws attention to some ambiguities in Hoque et al.’s (2013) reasoning and advance a critique of their rather under-developed conceptions of the relationship between ontology and epistemology, the epistemic premises influencing the choice of theories and the role of theories in conditioning empirical observations and scholarly knowledge claims. To address these issues the author advances a critical realist approach and discusses its implications for theoretical triangulation in accounting research. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the ongoing debate about theoretical pluralism in accounting research by explicating how critical realism may further such pluralism and the inter-disciplinary accounting research project more generally.

scholarly journals Rethinking performativity

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 930-956 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Baker ◽  
Sven Modell
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Alternative Conceptions ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Research ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Structural Boundary ◽  
Realist Perspective

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to advance a critical realist perspective on performativity and use it to examine how novel conceptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have performative effects.Design/methodology/approachTo illustrate how the authors’ critical realist understanding of performativity can play out, the authors offer a field study of an Australian packaging company and engage in retroductive and retrodictive theorising.FindingsIn contrast to most prior accounting research, the authors advance a structuralist understanding of performativity that pays more systematic attention to the causal relationships that underpin performative tendencies. The authors explain how such tendencies are conditioned by pre-existing, social structures, conceptualised in terms of multiple, intersecting norm circles. The authors illustrate their argument empirically by showing how specific conceptions of CSR, centred on the notion of “shared value”, were cemented by the interplay between the causal powers embedded in such norm circles and how this suppressed alternative conceptions of this phenomenon.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings draw attention to the structural boundary conditions under which particular conceptions of CSR can be expected to become performative. Greater attention to such boundary conditions, denoting the social structures that reinforce and counteract performative tendencies, is required to further cumulative, yet context-sensitive, theory development on this topic.Originality/valueThe paper is the first to adopt a critical realist perspective on performativity in the accounting literature. This perspective strikes a middle path between the highly constructivist ontology, adopted in most accounting research concerned with performativity and realist criticisms of this ontological position for de-emphasising the influence of pre-existing, objective realities on performativity.

scholarly journals ThinkPiece: A Critical Realist’s Reflections on Coupling the Hydrological and Social Systems during a Global Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Murphy
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Water Structure ◽  
Water Systems ◽  
Personal Agency ◽  
Field Of Study ◽  
Global Crisis ◽  
Realist Approach ◽  
Structure And Agency ◽  
Critical Realist

Hydro-sociology is a recent field of study that aims to couple the human and water systems. It appears to be a response to dualistic thinking within hydrology and sociology that is also reflected in theoretical debates about structure and agency. Reflections about how specific rivers have ignited personal agency and define some of our political and economic structures are shared. Critical realists like Margaret Archer argue that reflexivity is a mediating tool between structure and agency. But what mediating tool is/can be used to mediate between the hydrological and sociological fields and related thinking? This think piece is a reflection on how a critical realist approach to structure and agency may deepen the connection and understanding of hydro-sociology. Keywords: critical realism, hydro-sociology, duality, water, structure and agency

scholarly journals Using critical realism and reflexivity to explain broadband non-adoption in rural Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Dobson ◽  
Paul Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Realism ◽  
Satellite Networks ◽  
Social Program ◽  
Technical Program ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Program Adoption ◽  
Fixed Line ◽  
Line Network ◽  
Rural Australia ◽  
Realist Perspective

Australia is conducting a substantial nationwide provision of broadband. It is primarily a fixed line network but includes wireless and satellite networks in more remote areas. The rollout is under the control of the NBN Co, whose goal is ensuring access to fast broadband for all Australians. The NBN Co has recently recognized the importance of adoption by including premises activated as a KPI alongside service provision. Coverage and adoption reflect the two faces of the NBN rollout – as a technical program and as a social program. Adoption will be the ultimate measure of the success of the NBN as a social program. Ubiquitous Internet adoption across all sectors is necessary to maximize the promised benefits. The adoption of broadband is an important first step in achieving this. International experience suggests that broadband adoption is plateauing and this has prompted our proposal that there needs to be focus on non-adoption rather than adoption. We suggest that it is important to be able to explain the mechanisms by which individuals respond to the promise of the Internet. Only by so doing can we address issues. We contend that there needs to be more focus on those disenchanted or disinterested “non-users” who are never likely to adopt without specific targeted strategies. We argue for a critical realist perspective, more particularly reflexivity, to better represent the adoption context and to provide a grounding for explanations of the causes behind the decision not to adopt. We also propose possible common-sense strategies to reverse non-adoption.

Structure and agency: making connections

2021 ◽  
pp. 65-94
Author(s):  
Priscilla Alderson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Critical Realism ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Injury Rehabilitation ◽  
Structure And Agency ◽  
Critical Realist ◽  
Health And Illness

This chapter continues to summarise different theories and methods in mainstream health and illness research in order to compare them to critical realism and show what it might add. Positivist, interpretive and postmodern approaches to human agency within structures are considered. There are also sections on: six features of critical realism; structure, agency and culture; four types of social structures; a comparison of realist evaluation and critical realism theories of structure and agency; the structure-agency dialectic, and Archer’s theory of internal conversations. The detailed examples of applying critical realist concepts are of prison leavers with mental health problems, and nurses working on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation. Throughout, the chapter critically considers problems posed for health researchers, to see how critical realist research theories of structure and agency can serve their work.

scholarly journals Structure is Management of Uncertainty in Groups

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesse Hoey
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Model ◽  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Social Agents ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Compare And Contrast ◽  
Management Of Uncertainty

I argue that the management of uncertainty by agents in a social world is foundational to the formation of social structures and to the definition of culture. I present a deep Bayesian model for this management of uncertainty in intelligent systems, and I argue for its applicability to cultural sociology. As social systems grow more heterogeneous, management of uncertainty in any participating agent becomes computationally difficult, and I propose that combinations of a small number of layers of reasoning in a deep Bayesian model are sufficient to account for some of the salient ways by which humans manage this uncertainty. Three forces come into play when considering such a model, and each is connected to a particular form of uncertainty. A denotative layer in the model represents uncertainty in the world or environment (ambiguity and risk about outcomes), a connotative layer manages the uncertainty about relationships with other social agents, and the connection between denotative and connotative handles uncertainty about identities of the self and others. Behaviours taken by agent and by others are handled in both layers simultaneously. I show how the tradeoff between these three factors maps to different social structures, and I use use the model to make predictions across a range of domains, and show its relationship to cultural sociological, social psychological, economic and sociological theorizing. I further link this model to Bayesian views of the mind, primarily the active inference model of human intelligence, and compare and contrast to more traditional artificial intelligence.

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