Introduction
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» Purpose: Why use these tools?
» How to use these tools?
» When to use these tools?
» How were these tools developed?
» References used for the tools
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Purpose: Why use these tools?
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Knowledge translation
(KT) is the term used by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to describe the process of putting research findings and the products of research into the hands of key audiences. KT is about using research knowledge to inspire people to think and/or act differently. While there are a variety of terms used in the literature to refer to this process (e.g., knowledge transfer, exchange, uptake and mobilization, utilization and diffusion), the KT process is achieved through transmission and exchange of information as well as through extensive dialogue between the producers of knowledge and its users. KT involves careful consideration of the experiences and information needs of stakeholders to enhance the generation of new theory and improves the overall quality of research.
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Debra Lynkowski, CSN, General Annual Meeting
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Researchers who want to share their findings usually do so by publishing in scientific journals or making presentations at conferences. Even though these KT activities may be useful for certain audiences or purposes, they represent only one piece in the KT puzzle. In fact, they should be combined with other KT activities which aim at bridging the gap between researchers and the users of their research outputs by developing the most appropriate knowledge translation strategy.
Maximizing Dissemination: Two Knowledge Translation Planning Tools for Stroke Research Teams provides a comprehensive overview of factors to consider in the transfer of stroke research. These tools are based on a series of questions to help you and your research team to identify the key aspects of an effective knowledge translation strategy and to enhance the knowledge transfer potential of your research. For example, they can be used to help you answer the following questions:
- What are the most important aspects to consider when establishing a KT strategy?
- What are the outputs of your research?
- Who are the potential users of your research outputs?
- What is the most effective way to reach and interact with those users (e.g. how to bring knowledge to the clinician)?
- How is it possible to involve the users in meaningful ways throughout research projects?
- What do users really need to know about your research?
To address these differences, there are two tools, each for a distinct audience:
- Biomedical Researchers Knowledge Translation Planning Tool
- Clinical, Health Services and Population/Public Health Researchers Knowledge Translation Planning Tool
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How to use these tools
These tools were designed to help you maximise the effectiveness of your knowledge translation strategy. Each tool has three main sections:
There are no right or wrong answers to the questions posed in these tools. We used a checklist in each of the following three sections to help you identify areas to plan and/or improve your knowledge translation strategy. There are four boxes providing resources that can help you to improve your KT potential.
If you feel you are already doing the right thing check the “done” box, if you feel you could do better with this activity check the “Needs to be done” box and make notes in the comment section as to how you might improve. These questions are meant to target several different research audiences. Therefore, as, each research area is unique some questions will not apply to your research team. If the questions do not apply to your team then mark “Not Applicable”. Whatever you answer, it is suggested seeing the resources related to the issue if one is available.
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When to use these tools
Effective knowledge translation is a continuous process starting with the development of the research project. In this way, the tool should be used at the very beginning of your research project as a workbook to guide you in the development of your strategy and throughout the duration of the project. The tool is a guide. It was not designed to answer all your questions, but rather, to be a flexible method for navigating your way through designing your KT strategy.
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How were the tools developed?
Methodology
Researchers at the Chair on Knowledge Transfer and Innovation at Laval University in collaboration with the Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre (AHPRC) at Dalhousie University (funded by the Canadian Stroke Network) have dedicated the past two years to identifying factors that contribute to an effective KT strategy. This research forms the basis of these two tools. The following factors have been found to be associated with a successful knowledge translation strategy: acquisition efforts by the users, adaptation of research results, dissemination among users by the researchers, linkage mechanisms (formal and informal), publication assets, source of funding, type of research, and the contexts of users and researchers. These factors have been documented in the KT literature.
In addition, we integrated information from the Internet concerning innovative knowledge translation tools. Close to 600 Internet sites were analyzed. These sites yielded 98 tool critical elements that were applicable to health research were isolated and used to develop our tool. Each question in the tool is supported by credible Internet sources or by factors in the current literature that are positively related to improving knowledge translation.
All the references used for the tools are presented in the section references accessible by the link bellow.
Click the “next” button to begin using the tools.
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