Too deductive too soon? Toward an inductive renewal of implementation science

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Health Services Research
• Theory Development

Background:

• Implementation science has relied heavily on theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) for structure and vocabulary.
• Over-reliance on deductive reasoning risks limiting theoretical development and ignoring contextual complexities.
• Established TMFs are often applied deductively across diverse contexts, potentially leading to methodological circularity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Advocate for an inductive renewal in implementation science, balancing deduction with induction and abduction.
• Propose reframing TMFs as evolving heuristics, open to refinement through empirical engagement.
• Outline strategies for advancing theory development at study, field, and institutional levels.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual paper arguing for a shift in research methodology.
• Emphasis on inductive and abductive reasoning alongside deduction.
• Strategies proposed for study-level, field-level, and institutional-level changes.

Main Results:

• Reframing TMFs as heuristics encourages empirical engagement and theoretical refinement.
• Abductive iteration is key for translating empirical discovery into conceptual advancement.
• Examples show how empirical surprises can interrogate and refine existing TMFs.

Conclusions:

• Mature implementation science requires examining how empirical phenomena challenge and reshape theory.
• Balancing deductive and inductive/abductive reasoning is crucial for theoretical coherence and innovation.
• Moving beyond 'best fit' TMF selection to theory evolution is essential.