Implementation science: Relevance in the real world without sacrificing rigor

Area of Science:

• Implementation science
• Health research methodology

Background:

• Leading researchers in implementation science, also members of PLOS Medicine's editorial board, have defined criteria for study quality.
• The journal actively seeks high-caliber research in this field.

Discussion:

• High-quality implementation science research is crucial for translating evidence into practice.
• Defining clear characteristics aids researchers in designing impactful studies.

Key Insights:

• Characteristics of rigorous implementation science studies are detailed.
• PLOS Medicine encourages submissions that meet these quality standards.

Outlook:

• Future implementation science research should adhere to these defined quality metrics.
• This initiative aims to elevate the standard of published implementation science literature.