Priority domains, aims, and testable hypotheses for implementation research: Protocol for a scoping review and...

Area of Science:

• Public health research
• Implementation science
• Health services research

Background:

• Implementation research (IR) addresses the challenge of integrating evidence-based innovations into practice.
• Despite significant investment, IR needs to advance its development of scientific theories.
• Research priority setting is crucial for accelerating advancements in IR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify priority domains, aims, and hypotheses for implementation research (IR).
• To map the existing evidence base of IR against these identified priorities.
• To accelerate the development of scientific theories in IR for public health improvement.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review of implementation research published in leading journals (Implementation Science, IS Communications, IR and Practice) from inception to December 2020.
• Utilized a protocol based on Arksey and O'Malley, Levac, Colquhoun, and O'Brien.
• Employed a data-charting form and the Priority Aims and Testable Hypotheses (PATH) diagram to organize and summarize the evidence.

Main Results:

• The study proposes a framework (PATH diagram) with four priority domains, three priority aims, and four testable hypotheses for IR.
• A scoping review will map the extent to which current IR addresses these PATH priorities.
• The review will provide a descriptive overview and summary tables of the existing IR evidence base.

Conclusions:

• This scoping review and evidence map aims to guide and accelerate IR efforts.
• By focusing on identified priorities, IR can advance scientific theory development.
• Accelerated IR theory development is expected to lead to significant improvements in public health outcomes.