MICHAEL DEMPSEY - Cranfield University

experiences of work which have led to the delegate forming the value
systems that have resulted in her espousing trade unionism.
Ontologically, realism believes that the ultimate objects of inquiry exist
and act independently of scientists and their activity. Social reality is
viewed as a socially constructed world where the objective of research
is to explain observable phenomena with reference to underlying
structures and mechanisms. Realist epistemology is based on the
building of models of such mechanisms such that, if they were to exist
and act in the postulated way, they would account for the phenomena
being examined. The models are hypothetical and can only be known
by constructing ideas about them. (Blaikie 1993:172).
Mechanisms are, consequently, of critical importance in realist
ontology. Blaikie (1993), discussing Bhaskar’s (1978) and Harré’s
(1970) outlines of realism, says as follows:-‘(Bhaskar) argued that there
is a distinction between a causal law and a pattern of events. A
constant conjunction must be backed by a theory which provides an
explanation of the link between the two events, a theory which provides
a conception or picture of the mechanism or structure at work. These
mechanisms are nothing more than the tendencies or powers that
things have to act in a particular way. The capacity of a thing to
exercise its powers, or the likelihood that it does, will depend on the
circumstances which may be favourable or unfavourable. Realism is
ultimately a search for generative mechanisms.’ (p 59). Blaikie goes on
to cite Harré and Secord (1972) to the effect that at the start of a realist
investigation, one needs to produce in theoretical studies a rational
explanation of non-random patterns by identifying the causal or
generative mechanisms which produce those patterns.
My understanding of these ideas was greatly helped by reading an
outline of realist social science in Pawson and Tilley (1997). This book
is concerned with the evaluation of social programmes but it succeeds
in explaining a realist approach to such programmes in highly practical
terms. Thus:-
‘Identifying mechanisms involves the attempt to develop propositions
about what it is within the program which triggers a reaction from its
subjects. These hypothesised processes attempt to mirror how
programmes actually work’. (1997 p. 66).
‘The idea is that the mechanism is responsible for the relationship
itself. A mechanism is thus not a variable but an account of the
makeup, behaviour and interrelationships of those processes which are
responsible for the regularity. A mechanism is thus a theory – a theory
which spells out the potential of human resources and reasoning.’
(p68)
‘The basic task of social inquiry is to explain interesting, puzzling,
socially significant regularities. (R). Explanation takes the form of
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