Ginsburg, L.R., Lewis, S., Zackheim, L. & Casebeer, A. (2207). Revisiting Interaction in Knowledge Translation. Implementation Science, 2(34).

Format: Peer-reviewed article

Type: Research — Non-experimental

Experience level of reader: Fundamental

Annotation: The authors use a case study approach to investigate the impact of a Canadian funding agency’s use of an interaction-based knowledge translation approach — specifically, convening two in-person forums (while the study was being conducted) and two web conference events (four months prior to the release of the results and immediately following the release of the results) — with broad stakeholder representation.

Setting(s) to which the reported activities/findings are relevant: Community, Government, University

Knowledge user(s) to whom the piece of literature may be relevant: Policy Makers, Researchers

Knowledge user level addressed by the literature: Organization

This article uses the Commercial Devices and Services version of the NtK Model

Barrier: There may be cases where stakeholder needs, and their timing, cause them to make a request for interim research results. Researchers should make it clear at the beginning of the research project when, and in what form, research findings will be released. Advance notice can promote researcher and stakeholder accountability, alignment and positive behavior.
Literature review and single case study.
Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 3.8

• Convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) can provide opportunities for stakeholders to network with each other and gauge how others are using (or intend to use) the research findings. These inter-stakeholder discussions often extend beyond the forum.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 3.7, KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3, Step 3.8, Step 3.2

• Convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) can instil in stakeholders a sense of urgency in association with the implementation of the research findings.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 3.B, KTA Step 6.B, KTA Step 7.B

• Convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) can raise stakeholder awareness of the research findings. A forum can also serve to explicitly place the usage of research findings on the formal organizational agenda for action.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3

• When convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) it is important to clearly state the objectives of the forum. This can help to frame stakeholder expectations and participation.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 6.B, KTA Step 3.B, KTA Step 7.B

• When convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) it is important to consider the value of providing stakeholders with tools and techniques they can use to apply the research findings.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3

• Convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) is one way to broaden stakeholder learning about research findings.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 3.7, KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3, Step 3.8

• One form of stakeholder (knowledge user)–researcher partnership is intermittent partner. In this case, the stakeholder uses information about the nature or attributes of the each specific research topic to assess the relevance of their participation.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 3.1

• When convening an interactive forum (a knowledge translation event that brings researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) it may be important for ongoing relationship building to determine whether stakeholders have an expectation that follow-up activities will be scheduled by the researcher.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 3.E, KTA Step 6.E, KTA Step 7.E, KTA Step 3.G, KTA Step 6.G, KTA Step 7.G

• In cases where new research findings conflict with a stakeholder’s existing values, if research is framed as a process of argument or debate to help create legitimate concern and help set an appropriate agenda (and not as a product to be used solely for problem-solving), as part of the process, stakeholders may adjust their values to be in alignment with the research results and not interpret the finding to be a threat, but see them as constructive and valuable.
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 3.A, KTA Step 6.A, KTA Step 7.A

• Interactive forums (knowledge translation events that bring researchers and knowledge users together to jointly interpret research findings) tend to have more conceptual (changing the way knowledge users think) and symbolic (politically motivated) impacts than instrumental (concrete application of research findings to make specific decisions or changes).
  Literature review and single case study.
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3

• Knowledge users may resist new knowledge (research findings) if it conflicts with existing organizational or political interests. Information or research findings that are consistent with our values or expectations tend to be accepted, while information that is inconsistent tends to be challenged, questioned, and often disregarded. It has been argued that the importance of alignment between research findings and institutional context should not be underestimated. (Scheel [2003]; Thomas [1993]; Denis [2002]; Lomas [2000])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 6.D, KTA Step 3.D, KTA Step 7.D

• The absence of interactions between researchers and decision makers (knowledge users) has been cited as the primary reason for low utilization of research findings. (Huberman [1987])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1, Step 1.1

• One form of research utilization is conceptual. This involves a change in the way knowledge users think. Conceptual utilization is akin to the kind of "socialization" that Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) describe as one way to convert or transfer tacit knowledge (knowledge that is difficult to formalize and communicate). In this process, socialization involves the exchange of tacit knowledge through joint, face-to-face activities "in order to produce some form of shared mental model... that can serve as a framework for moving forward" (Nonaka & Takeuchi [1995]; Rynes [2001])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 3.B, KTA Step 6.B, KTA Step 7.B

• One form of stakeholder (knowledge user)–researcher partnership is responsive audience. In this case, knowledge users provide information, respond to researchers' queries and information needs, and are involved in most phases of the research process beyond conceptualization. (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1

• One form of stakeholder (knowledge user)–researcher partnership is integral partner. In this case, knowledge users initiate a high degree of contact with researchers and the knowledge users are fully engaged in the research process as a significant partner. (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1

• Many decision makers (knowledge users) consider interaction-focused approaches to be valuable ways to facilitate knowledge utilization. (Innvaer [2002])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3, Step 3.1, Step 1.1

• One form of research utilization is instrumental. This involves a concrete application of research findings to make specific decisions or changes. (Weiss [1979])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Step 7.B, KTA Step 3.B, KTA Step 6.B

• In many cases, when researchers and knowledge users meet face-to-face to jointly interpret research results, knowledge users perceptions of the utility of that research is often increased. (Mohrman [2001]; Rynes [2001]; Huberman [1994]; Walter [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1, Step 3.9, Step 3.8

• The existence of an overarching relationship (historical or longstanding) between a researcher and relevant decision makers (knowledge users), where research utilization is only one activity in the larger, ongoing relationship, can be important for the utilization of research findings. (Goering [2003]; Mohrman [2001]; Canadian Health Services Research Foundation [2002]; Golden-Biddle [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3, Step 3.1, Step 4.1, Step 4.6, Step 2.2, Step 1.2, Step 1.1, Step 9.3

• One form of stakeholder (knowledge user)–researcher partnership is formal support. In this case, knowledge users explicitly support, facilitate access to resources, and confer legitimacy on the research but do not get involved in the research process. (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1

• Typically, the more resources a researchers invests in knowledge utilization (e.g., models such as, push [production-oriented], pull [knowledge user driven], dissemination [circulation-focused], and interaction [researcher-knowledge user exchanges]), the higher the use on research findings. (Landry [2001])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 1.3

• It is commonly accepted that research utilization and knowledge translation are highly social processes that can be more successful in the presence of positive social interactions between stakeholders. (Amabile [2001]; Lavis [2004a, 2004b])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3

• Early and ongoing involvement of relevant decision makers (knowledge users) in the conceptualization and conduct of a research study can be a strong predictor of its utilization. (Lomas [2000])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1, Step 2.2, Step 1.2, Step 1.1

• One factor that can influence a knowledge user’s decision to become involved and play a role in a research project is the strength of relationship that exists between the knowledge user and the researcher. (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 1.3, KTA Stage 1, KTA Stage 2, KTA Stage 3

• One factor that can influence a knowledge user’s decision to become involved and play a role in a research project is the degree of alignment between the knowledge user’s expertise and the focus of the research project. (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1, Step 1.1

• One factor that can influence a knowledge user’s decision to become involved and play a role in a research project is the amount of their time that will be required. (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Tip 1.3, Step 3.1

• One factor that can influence a knowledge user’s decision to become involved and play a role in a research project is whether the project has already started (and if it has, what stage is it at). (Ross [2003])
  Occurrence of finding within the model: Step 3.1