In 2018, the IKTRN invited the authors of its concept paper series to discuss the implications of their work and outline an IKT research agenda. Participants at the Integrated Knowledge Translation State of the Science Colloquium identified seven categories of activity where investment was required to advance the field of IKT: theory, methods, process, promoting partnership, definitions and distinctions, capacity-building, and role of funders. Within these categories, the priorities identified for future IKT research included: (1) improving clarity about research co-production/IKT theories and frameworks; (2) describing the process for engaging knowledge users; and (3) identifying research co-production/IKT outcomes and methods of evaluation. In terms of next steps, the IKTRN aims to build a theoretical and evidence base for IKT.
To learn how the concept papers and colloquium proceedings might influence the direction of the IKTRN, we interviewed members of the network’s Executive Committee.
1. What does the IKTRN plan to do with the information derived from the proceedings paper?
Anita Kothari: “Not only will it influence the types of research projects that might be funded, but I think it would also influence the types of opportunities, including meetings, future casebooks, and the kinds of trainees we may want to attract, along with revitalising the strategic direction.”
Chris McCutcheon: “I think the original intent of the concept papers was to take a reading of what the cutting-edge IKT research is, and what are the directions we need to go in. And all that information should be informing all of the things that the network does.”
2. Can people outside of the network benefit from reading the proceedings paper?
Laura Boland: “Definitely yes! Anyone who is interested in the IKT field can use the proceedings paper as almost a rationale or early evidence for directing their research.”
Anita: “For an experienced person, you tend to work in a sort of “sub-niche area” within IKT and for me, the papers broadened my scope a little bit and made me realize some of the other “sub-niche” areas people were working in. So, it raised awareness for me of the other emerging issues in the field – not just the very narrow issue that I work on.”
Laura: “Sometimes trainees at various levels are trying to come up with their own research projects they’re going to lead, which can be a daunting task. But if you have a bit of a roadmap like the one the proceedings paper provides, it gives you categorical areas that you can look at, and come up with ideas for filling an actual gap in the literature (which is what you’re always trying to do). And then also, a nice thing about this paper is that it links you back to abstracts that are connected to the themes. So if you’re looking to build your network or collaborations, you can look at those abstracts and connect with people who are doing like-research, or things that you’re interested in getting into.”
Chris: “Another thing is that IKT is a field where the concepts and key words are constantly fluctuating. The paper gives you a kind of “snapshot” of where we are in terms of the clarity of the key concepts in co-production and IKT.”
3. What did you find most valuable in attending the Network’s Integrated Knowledge Translation State of the Science Colloquium?
Anita: “For me, it was meeting the authors. In IKT, we talk about how important face-to-face is. Even though you can do a lot by teleconference, relationships with other people are important. I started to think about maybe working with some of the authors in the future because I got to meet them and talk to people.”
Laura: “I didn’t present a concept paper, but I suspect for the people who did, you’re presenting to the best IKT experts around, and getting very high-level discussions about the concepts in IKT that you’re working on and interest you. So, it probably advances those ideas even more to get that kind of team science feedback.”
Chris: “What I recall from that meeting is just because of managing the network, you think you have a pretty good grasp of the size and scope of the field. And I realized, there are so many things in that meeting that I had never even thought of. And you only realize that by having a meeting like that. That the breadth, size, scope of the field is beyond what one individual can think of, even if they’re deeply immersed in the work.”
Click here for a full version of the proceedings paper.
Click here to read the IKTRN concept papers.
Click here for our infographic on “Advancing the Field of Integrated Knowledge Translation.”