Addressing diversity and complexity in the community engagement literature: The rationale for a realist review

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Emma ZL Richardson, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute; Sunita VS Bandewar, Health; Renaud F Boulanger, Université McGill; Rukshan Mehta, Rollins School of Public Health; Tinya Lin, University of Calgary; Robin Vincent, Independent Researcher; Sassy Molyneux, Wellcome Trust Research Laboratories Nairobi; Arisa Goldstone, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute; James Lavery, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2021-01-01
• Publisher: Wellcome Open Research
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Richardson EZL et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.15525.2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Wellcome Open Research
• Volume: 5
• Start Page: 1
• End Page: 1
• Grant/Funding Information: The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.; The work was supported by the Wellcome Trust [210505] and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation [OPP1183715].
• Keywords: health research; Community engagement; realist review; low- and middle-income countries
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery; Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

In this research note we reflect on our failed attempt to synthesize the community engagement literature through a standard systematic review and explain our rationale for now embarking on a realist synthesis of community engagement in global health research. We believe this paper will be helpful for many who grapple with the lack of clarity about community engagement's core elements and mechanisms.