Accounting for complexity in critical realist trials: the promise of PLS-SEM

Background: Randomized controlled trials have been criticized for their inability to identify and differentiate the causal mechanisms that generate outcomes they measure. One solution is development of realist combine empirical precision trials' outcome data with realism's theoretical capacity powers outcomes. Main Body: We review arguments against this position conclude critical are viable. Using example an evaluation educational effectiveness virtual reality simulation, we explore whether Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling can move statistical analysis beyond correlational support identification correlations. Conclusion: tentatively PLS-SEM, its ability ‘points action’, has potential provide direction researchers practitioners in terms how, whom, when, where what circumstances intervention worked.