A rapid tool for understanding how knowledge users engage with research findings in research-for-development contexts

Area of Science:

• Development Studies
• Knowledge Translation

Background:

• Effective use of research findings in development projects is crucial but often neglected in study design.
• Existing research use frameworks are primarily for clinical settings and not suitable for complex, dynamic development contexts.
• A gap exists in tools for capturing how diverse knowledge users intend to apply evidence in real-world development settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple tool for understanding and supporting research uptake and use in research-for-development initiatives.
• To address the limitations of existing frameworks in capturing evidence application in development contexts.

Main Methods:

• A novel research uptake and use tool was developed based on over a decade of research-to-action experience.
• The tool was piloted across nine sessions with 206 participants in Kenya, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Malawi, and Vietnam.
• Data was collected immediately after or one month following dissemination workshops.

Main Results:

• The pilot engaged participants from diverse development settings, gathering insights on evidence relevance, intended application, and perceived value.
• The tool facilitated understanding of how research evidence is perceived and planned for use by knowledge users.
• Preliminary findings indicate the tool's utility in capturing practical application intentions.

Conclusions:

• The developed tool offers a practical approach to understanding and supporting the use of research evidence in development projects.
• The framework is broadly applicable across the development sector, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, beyond its initial focus on agriculture and global health.
• This tool can help bridge the gap between research generation and its actionable use in addressing development challenges.