Process evaluation of complex interventions: evolving perspectives

McGill, Elizabeth and Moore, Graham ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6136-3978 2026. Process evaluation of complex interventions: evolving perspectives. Richards, David A., Hallberg, Ingalill Rahm, Estabrooks, Carole, Kopke, Sasha, Meyer, Gabriele, Wallin, Lars, Wengstrom, Yvonne and Woodford, Joanne, eds. Complex Interventions in Health: An Overview of Research Methods, London, UK: Routledge, pp. 197-207. (10.4324/9781003495642-26)

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Abstract

In this chapter, drawing on UK MRC process evaluation guidance, we begin by defining key domains of process evaluation – implementation, mechanisms, and context – and considering the interactions between these domains. The MRC framework for process evaluation can be operationalised in ways which are consistent with theory-based approaches and/or systems-based approaches, two of the four research perspectives within new UK MRC guidance for complex interventions. They may be conducted alongside a study of efficacy or effectiveness (the other two of the four research perspectives), aiming to enable evaluators to gain insights into why an intervention does or does not work, or as a standalone study, depending on the key uncertainties and research questions raised by an intervention. As theory-based evaluation is discussed elsewhere in this book, here we focus on systems approaches to process evaluation.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Research Institutes & Centres > Centre For Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)
Publisher:	Routledge
ISBN:	9781003495642
Last Modified:	16 Mar 2026 14:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/185742

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