Course content
This three-day PhD course is offered through a collaboration between the Unit of Health Promotion Research, University of Southern Denmark, DK, and the Centre for Development, Evaluation, Complexity and Implementation in Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) at Cardiff University, UK – a recognised Public Health Research Centre of Excellence.
The course is centred on the British Medical Research Council’s (MRC) framework for the development and evaluation of complex interventions, which is widely used internationally to strengthen the quality and relevance of intervention research in public health and applied health sciences.
During the first two days, participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the 2021 MRC framework, with particular emphasis on the role of programme theory in intervention research. The course will also cover two key MRC guidance documents underpinning the framework:
- The 2020 guidance on adaptation of interventions to new contexts (ADAPT)
- The 2015 guidance on process evaluation of complex interventions
The third day focuses on an introduction to the principles of realist evaluation, providing participants with conceptual and practical insights into evaluating interventions in complex systems.
In intervention research, attention is often primarily directed towards the theoretical and methodological aspects of developing intervention components and designing robust effect evaluations, frequently using randomised controlled trials. However, understanding mechanisms of change, and knowing when and how to adapt existing evidence-based interventions rather than initiating entirely new development processes, is equally critical when working with complex interventions.
Process evaluation plays a central role in this endeavour by enabling researchers to examine how interventions interact with context and mechanisms to produce (or fail to produce) change. Process evaluation may also address other key uncertainties related to implementation, such as fidelity, reach, and different forms of acceptability. Throughout the course, similarities and differences between process evaluation and realist evaluation will be discussed, including the realist focus on understanding “what works, for whom, and under what circumstances.”
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to provide participants with a solid working knowledge of the theory and practice of adaptation, process evaluation, and realist evaluation of interventions in complex systems. Upon completion of the course, participants will have gained an understanding of:
- Programme theory and logic modelling in interventions in complex systems
- The concept of adaptation and key issues in adaptation processes
- Stakeholder involvement and other core elements of the 2021 MRC framework
- The role of process evaluation in understanding complex interventions
- Evaluation questions and process evaluation methods
- Realist evaluation: key concepts and principles
- Analysis and dissemination of evaluation data
Form
During the course, lectures will be mixed with group work and discussions. The teaching will stimulated active participation
Lecturers: Reader, Dr. Rhiannon Evans (visiting from Cardiff University) and Prof Charlotte Overgaaard, SDU and 1-2 guest lectures).
Course Fee
The course is free of charge for PhD students enrolled in Universities that have joined the "Open market agreement", as well as employees at the Faculty of Health sciences at the University of Southern Denmark.
For other participants there is a course fee of
DKK 2400,-
EUR 321,-