Short answer
Invest in or develop roles that specifically bridge the gap between research and implementation to accelerate the adoption of new knowledge and practices.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Implementation Science (2015)
- Method
- Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis
- Sample
- 22 unique studies (from 29 articles)
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Dedicated knowledge brokers effectively facilitate the translation of research findings into practical applications within complex health-related settings. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2015 study published in Implementation Science. Using Systematic review and thematic analysis with 22 unique studies (from 29 articles), researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Invest in or develop roles that specifically bridge the gap between research and implementation to accelerate the adoption of new knowledge and practices.
Knowledge brokers accelerate innovation adoption by bridging research and practice.
Dedicated knowledge brokers effectively facilitate the translation of research findings into practical applications within complex health-related settings.
Implementation Science · 2015
Key Findings
- 01Knowledge brokers perform diverse tasks, acting as knowledge managers, linkage agents, and capacity builders.
- 02Evidence supports the role of knowledge brokers in facilitating knowledge translation, though specific outcome data on changes in knowledge, skills, and practices was limited to a subset of studies.
Application
Design takeaway
Invest in or develop roles that specifically bridge the gap between research and implementation to accelerate the adoption of new knowledge and practices.
How to apply
When introducing a new design methodology, technology, or research finding into an organization, consider assigning a dedicated individual or team to act as a knowledge broker, actively facilitating communication and adoption.
Project actions
- 01When researching a new product or system, consider how you will transfer that knowledge to the end-users or stakeholders.
- 02Think about who could act as a 'broker' to help bridge the gap between your design and its implementation.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Systematic and rigorous methodology.
- +Thematic analysis provides rich insights into the diverse roles of knowledge brokers.
Limitations
The effectiveness of a knowledge broker can be highly dependent on the specific context and the individuals involved, making generalizations challenging.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review process, including independent screening and data extraction by two reviewers, enhances the reliability of the findings. The thematic analysis provides a valid interpretation of the qualitative data regarding the functions of knowledge brokers.
Think critically
To what extent can the principles of knowledge brokering be applied to non-health-related design fields, and what adaptations might be necessary?
Design Principles
"Facilitate knowledge transfer through dedicated intermediary roles to enhance innovation adoption."
Understanding the role and effectiveness of knowledge brokers is crucial for organizations aiming to implement new strategies, technologies, or best practices. By acting as intermediaries, they can overcome common barriers to adoption, ensuring that valuable insights from research are not lost in translation and contribute to tangible improvements.
What This Means for Your Design
People called 'knowledge brokers' help get new ideas from research into practice, especially in healthcare. They are like translators and connectors, making sure new information is actually used.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing strategies for knowledge translation or the implementation of new design solutions in your project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The role of knowledge brokers in facilitating the translation of research into practice, as highlighted by Bornbaum et al. (2015), is directly applicable to design projects seeking to implement novel solutions. Their work demonstrates that dedicated intermediaries can effectively bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, suggesting that a similar approach could be beneficial for disseminating and integrating new design methodologies or findings within a project team or organization.
Source
Implementation Science
Exploring the function and effectiveness of knowledge brokers as facilitators of knowledge translation in health-related settings: a systematic review and thematic analysis
journal · 2015
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about knowledge brokers accelerate innovation adoption by bridging research and practice?
- Invest in or develop roles that specifically bridge the gap between research and implementation to accelerate the adoption of new knowledge and practices. Evidence: Implementation Science (2015).
- Why does "Knowledge brokers accelerate innovation adoption by bridging research and practice." matter for design?
- Understanding the role and effectiveness of knowledge brokers is crucial for organizations aiming to implement new strategies, technologies, or best practices. By acting as intermediaries, they can overcome common barriers to adoption, ensuring that valuable insights from research are not lost in translation and contribute to tangible improvements.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Invest in or develop roles that specifically bridge the gap between research and implementation to accelerate the adoption of new knowledge and practices.
- What were the main findings?
- Knowledge brokers perform diverse tasks, acting as knowledge managers, linkage agents, and capacity builders.. Evidence supports the role of knowledge brokers in facilitating knowledge translation, though specific outcome data on changes in knowledge, skills, and practices was limited to a subset of studies.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis with 22 unique studies (from 29 articles).
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2015 journal from Implementation Science.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When introducing a new design methodology, technology, or research finding into an organization, consider assigning a dedicated individual or team to act as a knowledge broker, actively facilitating communication and adoption.
- What are the limitations?
- The review focused on health-related settings and English language publications. Outcome data on the direct impact of knowledge brokering was available for only a subset of studies.