Knowledge translation research priorities: an evidence synthesis

Working with the World Health Organisation, Transforming Evidence has carried out a systematic review of knowledge translation (KT) practice and research priorities.

Overall, the most frequently reported priority was evaluation of knowledge translation strategies. There is a clear need to know more about what works, for whom, under which circumstances: which interventions and strategies are effective, including costs and benefits, role of context and transferability of interventions.

Based on the findings of this review, we recommend:

1. Seeking to build consensus between funders to support knowledge translation strategy and research which will be relevant across disciplinary boundaries. It seems likely that there are opportunities for funding efficiencies if collaborative structures can be established. For example, working with groups which have already published in-depth prioritisation exercises,

2. Seeking existing evidence on the identified research, practice, and funding gaps to ascertain where more research and funding activity is required, and where lessons from existing lesson need to be shared to enable evidence - based knowledge translation practice.

3. Supporting evidence syntheses from the knowledge translation research to articulate key lessons from the field, and supporting wide and effective dissemination of these results to funders, publishers, decision-makers and researchers across disciplinary and policy domains.

4. Identifying groups which have already conducted in-depth prioritisation exercises, and working with them to triage priorities based on a cross-disciplinary review of the evidence.

Suggested citation:
Oliver K (2024). Knowledge Translation Research Priorities: An Evidence Synthesis. Transforming Evidence Working Paper Series No. TE-2024-001.  https://doi.org/10.70399/CUZM9777