Theory and Knowledge Translation: Setting Some Coordinates
Abstract
In a healthcare context in which research evidence is not used routinely in practice, there have been increasingly loud calls for the use of theory from investigators working in the field of knowledge translation. Implementation researchers argue that theory should be used to guide the design of testable and practical intervention strategies, and thus, contribute to generalizable knowledge about implementation interventions. The purpose of this commentary is to critique model papers writing by a team of scholars who aimed to disentangle some of the relationships determining research utilization, by scrutinizing an existing conceptual framework that acknowledges, along with other factors, the importance of contextual factors in knowledge translation. These papers are used as a vehicle to explore theory application in knowledge translation research. As theory use and development is in its infancy, some key issues, including different ideological perspectives, factors for and against theory use, ensuring conceptual clarity, selecting coherent overarching frameworks, and choosing appropriately among theories, are considered. Finally, an agenda for theory-informed research is outlined, which highlights the need for scholarly, pluralistic, and collaborative activity if the state of knowledge translation science is to advance.
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There is increased interest and awareness of relevant theories that can and should inform implementation strategies.
“Increased interest and awareness of relevant theories that can and should inform implementation strategies [23–25]”
From PARIHS revisited: from heuristic to integrated framework for the successful implementation of knowledge into practice (2015) · cites this paper as [25]
Cites
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“Historically, there had been a lack of attention to theory in implementation research, however in recent years there has been a growing interest in its development and use [2-8].”
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A pragmatic cluster randomised trial evaluating three implementation interventions
Rycroft-Malone, J., Seers, K., Crichton, N., Chandler, J., Hawkes, C. A., Allen, C., Bullock, I., & Strunin, L. (2012) · Implementation Science · doi:10.1186/1748-5908-7-80 · Cited by 71 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Rycroft-Malone, J.
- Venue
- Nursing Research
- Published
- 2007-07
- Volume
- 56
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- S78-S85
- ISSN
- 0029-6562 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2027367308
- Cited by
- 131
- References
- 20
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 14 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 18.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Nursing Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Policy Implementation Science
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Sciences Research and Education
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Health Information Management › Methodologies in Health Research and Practice
- Keywords
- knowledge translation, theory application, implementation research, research utilization, contextual factors, conceptual framework, theory choice, implementation strategies, evidence-based practice
- MeSH terms
- Attitude of Health Personnel, Diffusion of Innovation, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Leadership, Models, Psychological, Nursing Staff, Hospital, Nursing Theory, Philosophy, Nursing, Research Design, Organizational Culture, Nursing Research, Outcome Assessment, Health Care, Models, Organizational, Evidence-Based Medicine, Knowledge, Information Dissemination
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