This interactive workshop will examine how realist reviews can be used to overcome challenges underlying evidence synthesis for complex interventions.

Objectives:
1. To understand the logic and key processes of realist reviews.
2. To explore when and why realist reviews are useful.
3. To experiment with applying a realist logic of analysis to data.
4. To resolve any queries or misconceptions around realist reviews.

Description: Theory-based approaches to evidence synthesis allow for an in-depth understanding of how complex interventions work under different circumstances. Realist reviews in particular focus on developing and refining theory that explains, not just which interventions work, but how and why interventions trigger different responses in different contexts for different people. This can help elucidate why the same intervention can lead to different outcomes. The workshop will discuss the value of such understanding and how it can be reached using realist reviews.

Workshop plan:
- Introduction and objectives (5 min presentation).
- Philosophical assumptions underpinning realist reviews (10 min presentation, 5 min discussion).
- Realist review processes (10 min presentation, 5 min discussion).
- Realist review examples and 'hands-on' practice: identifying mechanisms, appraising evidence and building programme theory (10 min presentation, 30 min facilitated small-group work).
- Discussion (10 min).
- Summary and closing (5 min).