Relevant to: Research, Policy, Practice
Sector: Health

Summary

In this paper, the authors describe the process of developing a conceptual framework of translating knowledge into action and discuss how it can be used for developing a useful model of the knowledge transfer process. A thematic analysis was undertaken of 28 different models which explained all or part of the knowledge transfer process, to identify individual components and the types of processes used when transferring knowledge into action. The conceptual framework was built from the results of this thematic analysis. The authors identified five common components of the knowledge transfer process: problem identification and communication; knowledge/research development and selection; analysis of context; knowledge transfer; and knowledge/research utilization. The framework illustrates that these five components are connected via a complex, multidirectional set of interactions although the relative importance and applicability of each is currently unknown.

The authors recommend empirical work be designed to test and refine the relevance, importance and applicability of each component of the framework to build a more practical model. This framework can act as a practical tool for planning or evaluating knowledge transfer activities.

This summary was developed from the following paper:

Ward V., House A., and Hamer S. (2009) Developing a framework for transferring knowledge into action: a thematic analysis of the literature. Journal of Health Services 14(3): 156-164.