National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools

A

Application

See Knowledge Application.

D

Decision Maker

Decision makers in the public health field can range from frontline public health providers (e.g., public health nurses, public health/environmental health inspectors, public health dieticians, dental hygienists, health promoters) to administrators (e.g., Medical Officers of Health, program managers) to policy makers.

Dissemination

See Knowledge Dissemination.

Doing

The intermediate stage of the knowledge translation process that occurs after the planning stage and before the evaluation stage. Doing resources are methods and tools for the active phase of implementation and are used to facilitate or perform knowledge translation activities.

E

Evaluation

Systematic efforts, using quantitative and/or qualitative approaches, to assess the effectiveness and impact of ongoing or completed knowledge translation activities in relation to their objectives.

Exchange

See Knowledge Exchange.

I

Inclusion Screening

A tool and process developed to assess the resources generated by the search strategy. The inclusion tool is used to determine which resources contain methods and tools appropriate for the Registry. Three criteria are applied: (1) the resource must contain a method and/or a tool; (2) the method/tool must be used for one of the four types of knowledge translation activities; (3) the resource must be relevant to or adaptable for use in public health contexts.

K

Knowledge Application

Activities that are carried out to put knowledge gained through synthesis, dissemination and/or exchange into action in practice settings or circumstances. Consistent across the various terms used to identify this type of knowledge translation activity (e.g., adoption, uptake, utilization, and mobilization) is the notion of purposefully doing something with the information and an emphasis on figuring out how to use or apply the knowledge most appropriately or effectively within the local context.

Knowledge Dissemination

Activities that transmit or distribute information from one party to another. This transfer or spread of knowledge involves identifying appropriate recipients and adapting both the content of the message and the means of delivery to suit the intended audience(s). Dissemination activities could include preparing and circulating briefing documents to policy- and decision-makers, providing educational sessions or workshops to practitioners, posting reviews and summary statements of synthesis studies on websites, and publishing research in (open access) journals.

Knowledge Exchange

Collaborative strategies that involve or facilitate dynamic, multi-directional communication and interaction networks between producers and users (or potential users) of knowledge. These opportunities for active sharing of ideas, information, and needs contribute to increased awareness and mutual learning which in turn can be used to inform policy, program and research decision-making.

Knowledge Synthesis

A multi-component activity that involves identifying a question or problem of interest, establishing criteria to inform the selection of studies, searching the literature for relevant quantitative and/or qualitative research, critically appraising the studies, statistically or thematically combining the results of the studies, and then summarizing the synthesis findings in light of the main question(s). Syntheses are used to assess current knowledge and provide a more comprehensive perspective on a particular area of interest, they can identify gaps in evidence to help establish future research priorities, and they can provide information to support policy and program decision-making.

Knowledge Translation

A dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system. [Source: CIHR, Accessed 2008, June 17]

M

Measurement and Descriptive Information Tool (MADI)

The data extraction form developed for the Registry to prompt reviewers to look for specific information about the method/tool, including: evaluation history and measurement (reliability, validity) characteristics; relevance for public health (specifically designed or adaptable for use in public health); development (who, when, where, why); content (questions, components, activities); access considerations ( cost, format, language); implementation issues (participants, time, needed resources/skills, steps); supplementary resource materials; current contact person/source.

Method

Methods are standardized processes, regular and systematic approaches, or sets of organized steps that facilitate access to and use of information for knowledge translation and decision-making.

P

Planning

The initial stage of the knowledge translation process, occurring before the doing and evaluation stages. Planning methods and tools are used in the early stages when thinking about how to frame, approach or organize knowledge translation activities.

Public Health

An organized activity of society to promote, protect, improve, and when necessary, restore the health of individuals, specified groups, or the entire population. It is a combination of sciences, skills, and values that function through collective societal activities and involve programs, services, and institutions aimed at protecting and improving the health of all people. The term “public health” can describe a concept, a social institution, a set of scientific and professional disciplines and technologies, and a form of practice. It is a way of thinking, a set of disciplines, an institution of society, and a manner of practice. It has an increasing number and variety of specialized domains and demands of its practitioners an increasing array of skills and expertise. [Source: Public Health Agency of Canada, Accessed 2008, January 30]

T

Tool

Tools are standardized products such as instruments, surveys and checklists that facilitate access to and use of information for knowledge translation and decision-making.