Guidance to critical realism mixed-methods research framework: A must-adopt approach to explore the relationship of social realities

This study examines the fundamentals of adopting a Critical Realist Mixed-Methods Research Framework to investigate the complex interplay of social realities. Rooted in Roy Bhaskar's philosophical foundations, particularly his stratified ontology and commitment to epistemological Realism, this framework offers a structured lens through which researchers can move beyond surface-level observations to examine the deeper causal mechanisms at work. Drawing on Margaret Archer's morphogenetic approach and Tony Lawson's theory of social positioning, it facilitates a nuanced analysis of how structural, cultural, and individual (agential) factors interact to shape related behaviors and their outcomes. By integrating the methodological insights of Zachariadis et al. (2013) and Douglas (2010), the research design employs both quantitative and qualitative strands in a retroductive logic of inquiry, allowing for an iterative movement between empirical data and theoretical abstraction. The study further operationalizes realist evaluation principles (Pawson and Tilley, 1997; Allana and Clark, 2018) and realist explanatory case study methods (Eastwood et al., 2016) to investigate how mechanisms such as power dynamics, organizational routines, leadership practices, and cultural equity influence occupational health and safety (OHS) performance under specific contextual conditions. The framework also incorporates applied insights from recent realist-informed research in safety, public health, and organizational development (Muselela et al., 2022a, 2022b, 2023; Chebrolu et al., 2024), ensuring methodological coherence and practical relevance. This approach ultimately aims to inform more reflexive, context-sensitive management strategies within globalized industrial environments.