Knowledge translation is about linking the research and policy. In practice, there are processes and strategies that can connect policy-makers with relevant evidence. Likewise, there are processes and strategies from the research perspective that can encourage development of policy relevant research and promote research impact. This training package covers these two perspectives and provides supplementary materials at the end, for optional further reading.
Key learning objectives include:
identifying different types of research designs and how to search for them;
reviewing, summarizing and applying research evidence to a real world situation;
considering other factors that contribute to decision-making and affect integration of research evidence into policy development;
identifying, implementing and evaluating tools and strategies to support knowledge translation.
Policy perspective
The online courses below provide a comprehensive introduction to evidence-informed policy-making and the role of knowledge translation. Specifically, they provide guidance on different types of evidence policy-makers use to inform their work, how to access and apply this evidence in practice and other strategies to support knowledge translation processes.
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Topic |
Source |
Title |
Format |
Duration |
Cost and access |
|
Quantitative research designs; Searching for and applying evidence; Knowledge translation strategies |
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools/McMaster University |
Evidence-informed decision making Please review all content in Modules 1-3 + 8-10: 1. Introduction to evidence-informed decision-making 2. Quantitative research designs 101 3. Searching for research evidence in public health 8. Assessing the applicability and transferability of evidence 9. Implementing knowledge translation strategies in public health 10. Evaluating knowledge translation strategies in public health |
Online course |
14–20 hours |
Free with registration and login |
|
Searching for and applying evidence |
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice at The University of Washington (PH Learn Link) |
Evidence-based public health training series Please review all content in Modules 1 + 5: |
Online course |
2 hours |
Free with registration and login |
|
Guiding dimensions for institutionalize capacity for evidence-informed policy-making |
WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean |
Video |
8 minutes |
– | |
| How to use public health data to inform public health planning, resource allocation, and policymaking | Centers for Disease Control (CDC) | Evidence-Based Decision-Making | Online training | 1 hour | Free, two logins required |
| How to assess and find reliable and valid evidence to guide evidence-based decision-making in public health practice | Centers for Disease Control (CDC) | Assessing and finding evidence | Online training | 45 minutes | Free, two logins required |
| This presentation reviews the use of the EtD for the development of de novo guidelines as well as the application of "adolopment" for adopting/adapting trustworthy guidelines and systematic reviews for local application. | Guideline International Networks | G-I-N NA Webinar: The Evidence-to-decision Framework | Video | 1.5 hour |
Research perspective
The online course and webpage tutorial below provide guidance on how to support the use of high-quality evidence by policy developers and decision-makers. It covers topics on creating evidence that is fit-for-purpose and how to disseminate it in a way that supports policy-makers.
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Topic |
Source |
Title |
Format |
Duration |
Cost and access |
|
Knowledge translation strategies
|
Cochrane Collaboration |
Online course |
1 hour |
Free with registration and login |
|
|
Cochrane Collaboration |
Please review all content under the following headings: 1. Workshop for supporting policymakers in their use of synthesised evidence (recorded workshop + summary sheets as described above) 2. Getting started (webinar + article) 3. Developing reviews that meet the needs of policymakers (journal article) References to KT = Knowledge Translation |
Webpage tutorial |
2 hours |
Free, no login required |
|
|
Guiding dimensions for institutionalize capacity for evidence-informed policy-making |
WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean |
Video |
8 minutes |
||
|
The process of evaluating the real-world outcomes of health research |
Coursera MOOC by Michigan University | Translating research to healthcare policy | Online course | 9 hours | Free |
|
List of tools for Evidence-informed health policy-making |
McMaster Health Forum | SUPPORT tools for evidence-informed health policymaking | List of tools | Free | |
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Develop technical skills to carry out an efficient search for technical scientific information in the field of health |
WHO PAHO | Online Course | 40 hours | Free | |
|
Methods and tools to better leverage diverse forms of evidence for more effective policy and practice in the clinical, public health and health system fields |
EVIPNet |
Evidence, policy, impact: WHO guide for evidence-informed decision-making |
Guide |
Free | |
| EVIPNet | Evidence as a catalyst for policy and societal change: towards more equitable, resilient and sustainable global health |
Report |
Supplementary materials
All supplementary materials are optional. The text materials below provide case studies and scenarios to support application of what you have learnt. The webpage tutorial provides specific guidance on how to develop and apply a search strategy to identify relevant evidence.
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Topic |
Source |
Title |
Format |
Duration |
Cost and access |
|
EIPM in practice |
International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) |
Please scroll down to the heading: ‘Public Health’ |
Text |
1–2 hours |
Free, no login required |
|
Searching for and applying evidence |
SUPPORT project |
SUPPORT Tools for evidence-informed health Policymaking (STP) |
Text |
6–8 hours |
Free, no login required |
|
Searching for evidence |
International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP) |
1–2 hours |
Free, no login required |
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|
Resources for Writing Briefs |
CDC |
Infographic |
10 minutes |
– |
|
|
Policy and Evaluation in Public Health |
University of West London |
What is policy, healthy public policy and health in all policies |
YouTube video |
1 hour |
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|
YouTube video |
1 hour |
– |
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YouTube video |
1 hour |
– |
|||
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Evidence-informed public health and the role of epidemiology in policymaking and the policy process |
YouTube video |
1 hour |
– |
||
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Fundamental concepts of health data analytics |
Coursera MOOC by University of Sidney |
Online course |
5 hours |
Free |
|
|
Increase impact of research evidence on policy making |
European Commission, Joint Research Centre |
Skills for evidence-informed policy making: |
Framework |
Free |
|
|
National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools/McMaster University |
Learning Needs Assessment for Evidence-Informed Decision Making |
Tool |
Free |
||
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National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools/McMaster University |
Evidence-informed Public Health |
Free |
|||
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National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools/McMaster University |
Evidence Informed Decision Making - A guiding framework for public health |
Free |
|||
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How standardized data is used to make the case for public health services. |
Northwest Center for Public Health Practice at The University of Washington (PH Learn Link) |
Online course |
1 hour |
Free |
|
|
Basics of evidence-based public health (EBPH) |
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) |
Online training |
1.5 hours |
Free |
|
|
Overview of knowledge brokering for capacity-building and supporting change in the workplace |
Center on Knowledge Translation for Disability & Rehabilitation Research |
Video |
1 hour |
Free |
|
|
Knowledge Translation: Promoting Evidence-informed Practices and Policies |
University of Montreal |
Online course |
8 weeks |
Free with login |
|
|
Online course |
6 weeks |
Free with login |