Knowledge Translation Curriculum
Module 1: An Introduction to KT
Lesson 4 - KT Approaches and Tools
Brokering and Synthesis
deliberative
dialogues
take-home
messages
multi-stakeholder
drama
meetings
staff
secondment rapid response meta-analysis
situation
analyses Brokering
policy briefSynthesis
Knowledge
peer-reviewed
Translation
capacity
paper
Platforms
strengthening
radio spot
courses
press release
priority setting
grey literature
systematic
review
Knowledge Brokering
• people-centred efforts to bring
stakeholders together, to build
relationships, to cement coalitions and
alliances, to understand abilities and
needs, to share ideas and evidence, and
to develop new skills and capacities.
• typically led by a knowledge broker.
Knowledge Brokering
can lead to:
•deliberative, multi-stakeholder meetings to
discuss the research agenda and policy
concerns
•off-the-record meetings or fora
•deliberative meetings to discuss a
synthesis tool
(e.g. policy brief)
•development of a Knowledge Translation
Platform
Knowledge Synthesis
• the formal combination of different pieces
of research evidence (e.g. in a systematic
review) to provide a comprehensive
overview of the evidence in response to a
particular question
• the creation of communications
documents or acts (e.g. drama, press
release) that situate a piece or pieces of
research evdience against the broader
context.
The Knowledge Translation Platform (KTP)
• institutionalizes the acts of brokering and
synthesis. Has many different
organizational forms (NGO, based in
Ministry, based in university).
• may: broker, facilitate meetings; provide
leadership to the research/KT community;
inventory researchers, research evidence;
synthesize and package evidence;
strengthen capacities of researchers and
research users; lead advocacy efforts.
The Rapid Response Service
tailored Response
completed
submited to national, global
evidence assembled reviewers for comment
against context, other
knowledge
response finalized
evidence accessed,
appraised,
contextualized
entered into global
database
of
Responses
response
disseminated
request, problem
to
encourage
learning
clarified
among RRSes
Rapid
Response
Service
Policy-maker
uses response as
policy/strategy input
The Policy Brief/Dialogue Model
Monitoring and
evaluation strategy developed
Implementation barriers
addressed
Policy dialogue
held
optional 2nd
Policy dialogue
Evidence reviewed;
options created
Stakeholder feedback
Problem clarified
Policy Development
Prioritising policy
brief topics
Policy
Implementation
Policy
Evaluation
other demand
possible starting points
End-of-Grant KT
• the dissemination of research results on
completion of a research project
• discuss and describe the project,
implications of findings
• often seen as the conclusion of a project
• on their own, VERY ineffective at
influencing behaviour or policy: a one-way,
researcher-controlled flow of information.
• how can we modify existing e-o-g
approaches to make them more dynamic
and influential?
Peer-reviewed paper
• invite co-authorship: evidence has a much
greater chance of influencing policy if
policy-makers are involved in its creation.
• improve the structure of the paper. Only a
read paper has a chance at influence.
• use it as a source for other outputs
• ensure it is databased and part of social
networking presence
Press releases
• understand the formulas local news
outlets require of press releases
• reduce research findings to catchy and
informative bullets with a punchy headline
Take-home messages
•a list of 3-4 major points/implications of
findings.
•Part of 1:3:25 graded entry approach:
•1 = take-home messages
•3 = executive summary
•25 = full research paper or synthesis.