Background: Recent studies on the impact of ex-post legislative evaluations show that there are different types of impact and different factors that can influence it. These include the context of a legislative evaluation, research quality, and interactions between researchers and other actors within the evaluation process. However, thorough empirical research in this area is lacking. This warrants empirical research into the factors that influence the impact of ex-post legislative evaluations, so these insights can be used to increase the likelihood of ex-post legislative evaluations having an impact.
Methods and analysis: In this protocol, we report on the realist evaluation methodology that will be used to evaluate the impact of three ex-post legislative evaluations in the Dutch healthcare sector. The mixed methods realist evaluation approach will facilitate this theory-driven, qualitative research. The study will consist of the following three steps: (1) Initial programme theory development, (2) theory validation, and (3) theory refinement. Knowledge from two scoping reviews conducted previously, and two subsequent expert meetings will form the basis for developing the initial programme theory. During this study, three case studies will be conducted, in which three individual ex-post legislative evaluations will be examined. Specificmethods for data collection will include: documentary review, observation, structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with purposefully identified key stakeholders. Using the framework approach, the data will be analysed thematically in a within-case analysis followed by a cross-case analysis.
Discussion: This protocol provides insight into how the study will be conducted. As this study uses multiple qualitative researchmethods to answer one question, this protocol supports refining data collection procedures. Careful consideration of the approach beforehand can minimise pitfalls, reduce publication bias and improve reproducibility. The protocol therefore specifies how the research question will be answered in detail, and this provides solid guidance for the research process.
Little is known about the experiences of minority stress among Latina women who have sex with both women and men (WSWM), a sexual and gender minority group situated at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. The current article presents an exploratory study aimed at addressing this knowledge gap. The research utilized a flexible diary-interview method (DIM) to investigate stress-related experiences among Mexican American WSWM residing in an economically disadvantaged community in the U.S. during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A detailed description of the study is provided, including information on the background, methodology, participants' experiences, and how the project was managed remotely by a virtual research team. Twenty-one participants were asked to maintain a diary for a 6-week period spanning from March to September 2021. They submitted weekly entries in diverse formats (visual, audio, typed, and handwritten) through a user-friendly website or via mail while communicating regularly with researchers over the phone. Following the diarizing period, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to clarify pertinent information within the entries and validate researchers' preliminary interpretations. Out of the initial 21 enrollees, 14 participants stopped diarizing at different stages, and nine completed the entire study. Despite facing challenges exacerbated by the pandemic, participants reported the diary-keeping process as a positive experience that offered an authentic outlet to share parts of their lives they seldom reveal. The implementation of this study highlights two significant methodological insights. Firstly, it emphasizes the value of employing a DIM to explore intersectional narratives. Secondly, it underscores the importance of adopting a flexible and sensitive approach in qualitative health research, particularly when engaging individuals from minoritized groups.