Methods and outputs at each step in building the initial programme theory of the intervention
| Steps | Question | Methods | Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliciting the programme theory of the actors | How is the CBH capacity-building intervention supposed to work? What were the assumptions of the implementers? | Interview with RC programme manager and volunteers. Review of RC CBH programme documents and reports | The assumptions of the actors on the mechanisms through which they believe the outcomes are brought about, as well as the required context conditions |
| Realist synthesis | What is the evidence on the effectiveness of community health volunteer interventions? | Realist review of community health volunteer programmes | Identification of potential mechanisms through which the outcomes are expected to be brought as well as the required context condition |
| Identification of the potential contextual factors | What are the conditions in Uganda that may affect RC volunteers and the expected outcomes? | Desk review of the Ugandan context, conversations with Ugandan RC volunteers, preliminary surveys of Uganda RC staff | Potential contextual factors identified |
| Identification of potential mechanisms | Which theories may explain volunteer positive work behaviour? | Review of concepts and theories (management theory, motivation theory) | Mechanisms and potential MRT identified |
| Identification of potential outcomes | What are the expected outcomes of managerial and leadership practices? | Review of studies (organisational behaviour) | Diverse ranges of outcomes identified |
| Defining the initial programme theory | How could the management of RC community health volunteers lead to positive work behaviour? | Integration of outputs from the literature review and desk review of the Ugandan context into the programme theory | The initial programme theory (figure 2) |
CBH, Community Based Health; MRT, middle range theory; RC, Red Cross Red Crescent.