Dr Sonia Dalkin

Sonia has specific interests in palliative care and complex social interventions. These subjects require a diverse methodology with an emphasis on mixed methods and realist approaches. Accordingly, Sonia has significant experience in realist approaches, providing training in the approach throughout the UK and internationally. In 2018 she co-authored ‘Doing Realist Research’, published by Sage. Her work portfolio reflects her realist experience with projects in palliative care, long term conditions and public health.

In 2018 Sonia launched the Northern Realist Research Team Hub (NoRTH). NoRTH comprises an experienced team of researchers based at Northumbria University with established regional, national and international links, who have expertise in and are regularly using and developing realist approaches to research.

• Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
• Applying and reporting relevance, richness, and rigour in realist evidence appraisals: Advancing key concepts in realist reviews, Dada, S., Dalkin, S., Gilmore, B., Hunter, R., Mukumbang, F. 5 Mar 2023, In: Research Synthesis Methods
• 'For Want of a Nail’: Developing a Transparent Approach to Retroduction and Early Initial Programme Theory Development in a Realist Evaluation of Community End of Life Care Services, McEwan, K., Girling, M., Bate, A., Atkinson, J., Clarke, A., Dalkin, S. 12 Mar 2023, In: International Journal of Social Research Methodology
• How are hospitals in England caring for women at risk of preterm birth in 2021? The influence of national guidance on preterm birth care in England: a national questionnaire, Carlisle, N., Care, A., Anumba, D., Dalkin, S., Sandall, J., Shennan, A. 20 Jan 2023, In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
• Understanding the challenges and impact of training on referral of postnatal women to a community physical activity programme by health professionals: a qualitative study using the COM-B model, Allin, L., Haighton, C., Dalkin, S., Das, J., Allen, G. 1 Jan 2023, In: Midwifery
• Protocol for the IMPART study: IMplementation of the preterm birth surveillance PAthway – a RealisT evaluation, Carlisle, N., Dalkin, S., Shennan, A., Sandall, J. 29 Mar 2022, In: BMJ Open
• Realist evaluation of the Football Association’s Post Graduate Diploma (PG Dip) in Coach Development, Redgate, S., Potrac, P., Boocock, E., Dalkin, S. 24 Mar 2022, In: Sport, Education and Society
• Attracting, recruiting and retaining nurses and care workers working in care homes: the need for a nuanced understanding informed by evidence and theory, Devi, R., Goodman, C., Dalkin, S., Bate, A., Wright, J., Jones, L., Spilsbury, K. 1 Jan 2021, In: Age and Ageing
• Combining Realist approaches and Normalization Process Theory to understand implementation: a systematic review, Dalkin, S., Hardwick, R., Haighton, C., Finch, T. Dec 2021, In: Implementation Science Communications
• Towards a common purpose: a theoretical model for a whole system approach to physical activity developed in South Tees, Danks, K., Shearn, K., Dalkin, S., Fitzgerald, M., Broom, D. Mar 2021, In: Perspectives in Public Health
• Using computer assisted qualitative data analysis software (CAQDAS; NVivo) to assist in the complex process of realist theory generation, refinement and testing, Dalkin, S., Forster, N., Hodgson, P., Lhussier, M., Carr, S. 2 Jan 2021

• Robin Hyde Exploring the impact of the Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioner role within the hospital setting: a realist evaluation Start Date: 06/07/2021
• Peter Dryden Start Date: 03/01/2019 End Date: 04/04/2020
• Andrew Bailey Improving lives through the power of football: A realist evaluation of the Foundation of Light’s Extra Time Hub programme Start Date: 02/01/2020

Health PhD January 31 2014