-->PONE-D-25-43767-->-->Realist methodologies informing the development, implementation, and scale-up of complex socio-medical interventions: A Scoping Review Protocol-->-->PLOS One

Dear Dr. Ahmed,

Thank you for submitting your manuscript to PLOS ONE. After careful consideration, we feel that it has merit but does not fully meet PLOS ONE’s publication criteria as it currently stands. Therefore, we invite you to submit a revised version of the manuscript that addresses the points raised during the review process.

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We look forward to receiving your revised manuscript.

Kind regards,

Sandeep Reddy

Academic Editor

PLOS One

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Additional Editor Comments :

Dear Authors,

Thanks for your submission to PLOS One. We apologise for the delay in assessing your submission due to the challenges of acquiring appropriate peer review. Here is our feedback.

The submission is nicely strcutured, rooted in established realist methodology, and addresses a critical gap in the literature as to how to implement realist methodology? Further the detailed methods section is a notable strength. However, the decision not to include stakeholder consultation, absence of quality assessment and a lacuna in providing future research directions limit the validity and reliability of review findings. To address this, I recommend incorporating stakeholder consultation, a brief discussion on how you address potential quality issues in the included studies, detailed recommendations for future research and how the advanced analytical techniques you present will enhance synthesis and interpretation of findings.

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Realist methodologies informing the development, implementation, and scale-up of complex socio-medical interventions: A Scoping Review Protocol

PONE-D-25-43767R1

Dear Dr.Ahmed,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Sandeep Reddy

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Thanks for following up with the recommendations and making the changes to the manuscript.

Reviewers' comments: