Knowledge Translation 1 - Introduction

Welcome to this introductory course on knowledge translation!

This course is part of a series titled “Knowledge Translation: Promoting Evidence-informed Practices and Policies.”

These days, researchers, practitioners and decision makers are placing greater emphasis on using evidence to improve interventions, healthcare and the well-being of populations. This trend is particularly significant in sectors that address social issues such as health, social, educational and judicial interventions and services. This movement can be seen in the emergence of new approaches that promote an increased use of research: knowledge translation, evidence-informed decision-making and practices, knowledge mobilization, knowledge utilization, knowledge enhancement, etc.

Studies on the subject show that the process leading to the use of knowledge is so complex that science and research still barely get taken into account in practice and decision-making communities. There is consensus in scientific literature that the efforts made to make scientific knowledge available are necessary, but not sufficient, for their actual use in practice communities. This course has been designed to address these issues.

This series of free online courses was developed by the RENARD research team (équipe de Recherche sur les Effets Non-Académiques de la Recherche et ses Déterminants) in collaboration with the IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement) and with the support of Université de Montréal’s CPU (Centre de pédagogie universitaire).

MOOC 1 is an introduction to Knowledge Translation. It offers you a chance to familiarize yourself with the basic concepts of knowledge translation and learn to identify the factors that promote or discourage knowledge use. The most effective mechanisms for optimizing research use will be presented to you. You can start learning about several knowledge translation tools and activities (infographics, policy briefs, deliberative dialogues, etc.). By the end of this MOOC, you will be better prepared to plan a translation process and evaluate its impact.