Mapping Methods: Charting Future Priorities for Research Methods in Dissemination and Implementation Science.

Area of Science:

• Dissemination and Implementation (D&I) Science
• Health Services Research
• Translational Science

Background:

• Closing the knowledge-practice gap is crucial for advancing dissemination and implementation (D&I) science.
• Identifying essential research methods is key to improving the impact of D&I initiatives.
• This study focuses on methods vital for implementing evidence-based chronic disease prevention and control programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify research methods considered most critical by D&I researchers for closing the research-practice gap.
• To understand the perceived importance and current usage frequency of various D&I research methods.

Main Methods:

• Employed Concept Mapping, a mixed-methods participatory approach, to gather and organize expert opinions.
• 98 D&I researchers brainstormed, sorted, and rated the importance and frequency of research methods.
• Data analysis involved multidimensional scaling and cluster analysis to generate a concept map of 12 method clusters.

Main Results:

• 117 initial statements were refined to 89, representing 12 key clusters of D&I research methods.
• User-centered design was ranked highest in importance, while study designs were used most frequently.
• Designing for dissemination, mechanism/cost analyses, and systems approaches were ranked important but least used.

Conclusions:

• Significant priorities for methods development in D&I research exist, particularly for essential but underused methods.
• Aligning training, funding, and innovation with identified priorities can enhance the rigor and impact of D&I science.
• Addressing the gap between perceived importance and actual use of methods like user-centered design is critical.