Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35193611›Full record

ArticleImplementation science : IS2022

Translational framework for implementation evaluation and research: a normalisation process theory coding manual for qualitative research and instrument development.

Carl R May, Bianca Albers, Mike Bracher, Tracy L Finch, Anthony Gilbert, Melissa Girling, Kathryn Greenwood, Anne MacFarlane, Frances S Mair, Christine M May and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Implementation science : IS, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 136 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
136citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

136 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

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  15. Exploring the implementation and integration of structured medication reviews in primary care: a qualitative evaluation using normalisation process theory.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2026
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76 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Carl R MayDepartment of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine & NIHR North Thames ARC, London, UK. Carl.May@lshtm.ac.uk.ORCID 0000-0002-0451-2690
Bianca AlbersInstitute for Implementation Science in Healthcare, Zurich, Switzerland.
Mike BracherSchool of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Tracy L FinchDepartment of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Northumbria University & NIHR ARC North East-North Cumbria, Newcastle, UK.
Anthony GilbertRoyal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London & NIHR North Thames ARC, London, UK.
Melissa GirlingDepartment of Nursing, Midwifery & Health, Northumbria University & NIHR ARC North East-North Cumbria, Newcastle, UK.
Kathryn GreenwoodSchool of Psychology, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK.
Anne MacFarlaneSchool of Medicine and Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Frances S MairInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK.
Christine M May, Southampton, UK.
Elizabeth MurrayResearch Department of Primary Care and Population Health, University College London & NIHR North Thames ARC, London, UK.
Sebastian PotthoffDepartment of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University & NIHR ARC North East- North Cumbria, Newcastle, UK.
Tim RapleyDepartment of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University & NIHR ARC North East- North Cumbria, Newcastle, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNormalisation Process Theory (NPT) is frequently used to inform qualitative research that aims to explain and evaluate processes that shape late-stage translation of innovations in the organisation and delivery of healthcare. A coding manual for qualitative researchers using NPT will facilitate transparent data analysis processes and will also reduce the cognitive and practical burden on researchers.

objectives(a) To simplify the theory for the user. (b) To describe the purposes, methods of development, and potential application of a coding manual that translates normalisation process theory (NPT) into an easily usable framework for qualitative analysis. (c) To present an NPT coding manual that is ready for use.

methodQualitative content analysis of papers and chapters that developed normalisation process theory, selection and structuring of theory constructs, and testing constructs against interview data and published empirical studies using NPT.

resultsA coding manual for NPT was developed. It consists of 12 primary NPT constructs and conforms to the Context-Mechanism-Outcome configuration of realist evaluation studies. Contexts are defined as settings in which implementation work is done, in which strategic intentions, adaptive execution, negotiating capability, and reframing organisational logics are enacted. Mechanisms are defined as the work that people do when they participate in implementation processes and include coherence-building, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring. Outcomes are defined as effects that make visible how things change as implementation processes proceed and include intervention mobilisation, normative restructuring, relational restructuring, and sustainment.

conclusionThe coding manual is ready to use and performs three important tasks. It consolidates several iterations of theory development, makes the application of NPT simpler for the user, and links NPT constructs to realist evaluation methods. The coding manual forms the core of a translational framework for implementation research and evaluation.

Indexed as

Delivery of Health CareHumansQualitative Research

Identifiers

PMID35193611
PMCPMC8861599

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.