Knowledge translation processes: Bridges between research and policy making

Description

Five different types of knowledge translation processes are identified as being essential for evidence-informed policy making, bridging the gap between research and policy. Evidence-informed policy making is best achieved when both research and the policy making process are purposefully linked. Knowledge translation activities can act as a bridge between the two sectors. The article, Research, Public Policymaking, and Knowledge-Translation Processes: Canadian Efforts to Build Bridges, outlines five knowledge translation processes.

These five knowledge translation processes are part of a larger framework linking research to policy making at the national level (Lavis et al., 2006). Within this larger framework, efforts to link research to action include:

• assessing if the general environment is supportive of using research in policy making
• determining if user needs are identified through priority setting in producing research
• using knowledge translation processes linking research to policy making (this article)
• supporting and funding rigorous evaluation of efforts to link research to action

Key practice implications include the following:

• Knowledge translation processes need to be timely and rigorously evaluated.
• These processes need to done on a sufficiently large scale with strong evaluations to increase evidence on the effectiveness of knowledge translation activities.

Steps for Using Method/Tool

Five types of KT activities have been identified to bridge research and public policy making:

• Production activities—methods that involve integration of policy making during research production. For an example, see Partnerships for policymaking.
• Push—methods often used by researchers to direct their information and efforts toward those involved in public policy making.
• Facilitating user pull—methods that enhance the accessability of research, as well as those that assist public policy-makers in identifying high quality, high relevance research. To facilitate the use of research in decision making, see questions listed in Understanding user context in knowledge translation.
• User pull—methods to enhance public policy organizations' capacity to acquire, assess, adapt and apply research evidence (e.g., CHSRF self assessment tool).
• Exchange—methods to establish and sustain partnerships and two-way communication between researchers and policy-makers.