Tool: Is Research Working for You?

Description

This tool assesses an organization’s capacity to access, evaluate, implement and disseminate evidence for decision making. Using four main categories, the tool provides an opportunity for valuable cross-organizational discussion.

Steps for Using Method/Tool

The tool guides users through four assessment categories that are rated from 1 (low) to 5 (high):

1. Acquire – Can your organization find the research it needs?
2. Access – Can your organization access research findings appropriate to you?
3. Adapt – Does your organization present findings in a clear and meaningful way?
4. Apply – What attributes does your organization possess to promote and use research findings in decision making?

Finally, discussion questions are provided about how much evidence the organization should use and how it should be prioritized.

Evaluation

Thornhill, J., Judd, M., & Clements, D. (2009). CHSRF knowledge transfer: (re)introducing the self-assessment tool that is helping decision-makers assess their organization's capacity to use research. Healthcare quarterly (Toronto, Ont.), 12(1), 22–24. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2009.20410

Kothari, A., Edwards, N., Hamel, N., & Judd, M. (2009). Is research working for you? Validating a tool to examine the capacity of health organizations to use research. Implementation science : IS, 4, 46. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-4-46

Validity

Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (2005). Is Research Working for You? A Self-Assessment Tool and Discussion Guide for Health Services Management and Policy Organizations. Ottawa, ON: Author. Retrieved from : http://www.chsrf.ca/other_documents/ working_e.php

Thornhill, J., Judd, M., & Clements, D. (2009). CHSRF knowledge transfer: (re)introducing the self-assessment tool that is helping decision-makers assess their organization's capacity to use research. Healthcare quarterly (Toronto, Ont.), 12(1), 22–24. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2009.20410

Reliability

Thornhill, J., Judd, M., & Clements, D. (2009). CHSRF knowledge transfer: (re)introducing the self-assessment tool that is helping decision-makers assess their organization's capacity to use research. Healthcare quarterly (Toronto, Ont.), 12(1), 22–24. https://doi.org/10.12927/hcq.2009.20410