This action research tool assimilates assessment, evaluation and research into professional practice. The REAL approach guides a service level protocol that is continually evidence-generating yet practical. The method is embedded within phenomenological analysis: a major tradition within qualitative research. Each step up the seven-stepped ladder represents increasing levels of evaluative sophistication attained during practice-based research. REAL is derived from published research COPE, M. D. (2006) ISBN 841021644
REAL has been piloted for a number of years and proved to be a very effective for both practice-based research and practice protocol.
The technique can be communicated with ease to commissioners of services. REAL empowers users' views and client experiences of the services within a multi-agency approach.
