This section offers ARC and NIHR resources that introduce implementation, knowledge mobilisation and impact. It’s for people who are new to the field and want to find out more.
Definitions
Implementation and knowledge mobilisation are relatively new and evolving fields. There is still some debate about definitions and terminology, but here are some basics to get you started.
- Knowledge mobilisation is about sharing knowledge between different communities to create new knowledge to catalyse change. Knowledge mobilisation strategies can help researchers share their research with the people who can use it and should be integrated throughout your research programme. Knowledge creation is seen as a process not a product. It can also be known as knowledge translation, knowledge exchange or knowledge transfer. (Source: NIHR)
- Implementation science is scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of clinical research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, and hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services. It includes the study of influences on healthcare professionals and organisational behaviour. (Source: Eccles & Mittman, 2006)
- Implementation practice: Implementation research seeks to understand the approaches that work best to translate research to the real world, implementation practice seeks to apply and adapt these approaches in different contexts to achieve outcomes (Source: Metz 2019)
- Research impact is the demonstrable contribution that research makes to society and the economy, of benefit to individuals, organisations and nations. (Source: NIHR)
See also the King’s Improvement Science Glossary of Terms Used in Improvement and Implementation for further information
Introductory videos
Overviews of knowledge mobilisation, implementation and impact
- Introduction to implementation and impact (10 min video and resource list, ARC West)
- Top tips for implementation and impact in health and social care research (9 min video, ARC Kent, Surrey and Sussex)
- What is knowledge mobilisation? Sense making and creating stories with KM (45 min video, Improvement Academy, ARC Yorkshire and Humber)
Introductions to implementation and implementation science
- Introduction to implementation science (25 min video, ARC Yorkshire and Humber)
- Myth-busting implementation science in innovation (7 min video, Eastern AHSN and ARC East of England)
- Introduction to implementation (11 min video, ARC Wessex)
- What is implementation science and why is it important? (11 min video, King’s College London / ARC South London)
Introduction to knowledge mobilisation
- An introduction to knowledge mobilisation: Helping you to achieve impact with your research (20 min video, ARC North East and North Cumbria)
Introductory blogs
- Getting the message across: how can we share our research with everyone? (NIHR blog)
- 10 recommendations for communicating research to patients and the public (Knowledge Mobilisation Alliance blog)
- Knowledge mobilisation is everyone’s business (NIHR blog)