How is Knowledge Translation Defined?
The term knowledge translation most readily appears in medical and health-care literature and primarily pertains to the assessment, review, and utilization of scientific research. One of the most well-known references for KT hails from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR). CIHR defines KT as
the exchange, synthesis, and ethically-sound application of knowledge—within a complex set of interactions among researchers and users—to accelerate the capture of the benefits of research for Canadians through improved health, more effective services and products, and a strengthened health care system (CIHR, 2004).
For the CIHR, the primary purpose of KT is to address the gap between the large volume of research data and its systematic review and implementation by key stakeholders (Ohlsson, 2002). In Canada and the United Kingdom, where the term KT is commonly used, researchers have focused their attention on KT as both a process and a strategy that can lead to utilization of research findings and improved outcomes for consumers, students, and patients (CIHR, 2004; Dobbins, Ciliska, Cockerill, Barnsley, & Di, 2002; Landry, Lamari, & Amara, 2003; Nutley, Walter, & Davies, 2003).
While the term KT may appear similar to dissemination or diffusion, it can be differentiated by its emphasis on the quality of research prior to dissemination and implementation of research evidence within a system. Unlike simple dissemination activities (e.g., distributing user friendly information, developing research briefs, etc.), KT requires coordination and process improvement amongst a complex system to influence behavior change and patient outcomes (Davis et al., 2003).
Furthermore, it differs from the traditional diffusion process because KT is primarily an active and manipulated process that involves "all steps between the creation of new knowledge and its application and use to yield beneficial outcomes for society" (CIHR, 2004, p. 4).
In an effort to advance KT, several academic programs and international organizations have established centers that conduct KT-related research, development, and dissemination activities, including the following:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Program: An initiative focusing on implementation techniques and factors associated with successfully translating research findings into diverse applied settings (http://www.ahrq.gov/research/trip2fac.htm)
- Campbell Collaboration (C2): An international organization that conducts systematic reviews of education, social welfare, and social science research (http://www.campbellcollaboration.org)
- Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR): The major federal agency responsible for funding health research in Canada that has established charges for KT research, development, and dissemination (http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/29529.html)
- Cochrane Collaboration: An international organization that conducts systematic reviews of health and medical research (http://www.cochrane.org)
- Knowledge Translation Program (KTP) at the University of Toronto, Canada: A multidisciplinary academic program developed to address the gap between research evidence and clinical practice and the need to focus on the processes through which knowledge is effectively translated into changed practices (http://www.ktp.utoronto.ca/aboutTheKTP/mission/)
- Knowledge Utilization Studies Program at the University of Alberta, Canada: A health research program focusing on nursing, the social sciences, and research utilization in the nursing profession (http://www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/)
- National Health Service (NHS) Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at the University of York: An organization that conducts systematic reviews of research and disseminates research-based information about the effects of interventions used in health and social care in the United Kingdom (http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/welcome.htm)
- What Works Clearinghouse (WWC): A clearinghouse established by the U.S. Department of Education's (ED's) Institute of Education Sciences to provide educators, policymakers, and the public with a central, independent, and trusted source of scientific evidence of what works in education (http://w-w-c.org)
References
CIHR. (2004). Knowledge translation strategy 2004—2009: Innovation in action. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Institutes of Health Research.
Ohlsson, A. (2002). Knowledge translation and evidence-based perinatal/neonatal health care. Neonatal Network, 21(5), 69—74.
Davis, D., Evans, M., Jadad, A., Perrier, L., Rath, D., Ryan, D., et al. (2003). The case for knowledge translation: Shortening the journey from evidence to effect. British Medical Journal, 327(7405), 33—35.
Dobbins, M., Ciliska, D., Cockerill, R., Barnsley, J., & Di, C. A. (2002). A framework for the dissemination and utilization of research for health-care policy and practice. Online Journal of Knowledge Synthesis for Nursing, 9(7).
Landry, R., Lamari, M., & Amara, N. (2003). The extent and determinants of the utilization of university research in government agencies. Public Administration Review, 63(2), 192—205.
Nutley, S., Walter, I., & Davies, H. T. O. (2003). From knowing to doing: A framework for understanding the evidence-into-practice agenda. Evaluation, 9(2), 125—148.