1. Christine Andrews Stobart SCPOR KT Platform Lead
Knowledge Translation: Helpful tips for writing your SPROUT grant application
Christine Andrews Stobart
SCPOR KT Platform Lead
Hello, I’m Christine Andrews Stobart, the KT Lead at SCPOR and I would like to welcome you to the SCPOR slide presentation on helpful tips for writing the KT portion of your SPROUT grant application. The following presentation aligns itself with the CIHR planning guide and provides further elaboration on the CIHR templates, which can be found on the SCPOR SPROUT website and within the CIHR Handbook referenced on the SCPOR SPROUT website.

2. Two Identified KT Categories
Integrated KT (iKT); the potential users, including patients, are engaged throughout the research process . This approach should produce research findings that are more likely to be used by knowledge users.
End-of-grant KT; the researcher develops and implements a plan for making potential knowledge- user audiences aware of the knowledge gained during the project.
CIHR defines KT as a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination , exchange and the ethically sound application of Knowledge to improve health for Canadians. This is not a simple process by any means, however, by involving knowledge users, and in the case of POR—the patient, in the research process evidence gained has a better means and amore deliberate opportunity to influence the healthcare system. CIHR has identified two ways in which they may occur; through integrated KT and end-of-grant KT . iKT engages the potential knowledge users throughout the research process. This approach should produce research findings that are more directly relevant to the knowledge users. iKT should also incorporate a plan to share the results with other knowledge users . This plan is called the end-of-grant plan and involves more intensive activities that tailor the message and medium to a specific audience.

3. iKT
iKT is an approach to doing research which applies the principles of knowledge translation to the entire research process.
The central premise is that involving knowledge users, and in patient-oriented research this specifically includes the patient, as equal partners in the research process will lead to more relevant research.
First, let’s consider iKT. As mentioned in the previous slide, iKT is approach to doing research which brings knowledge users, and in the case of POR—patients or the patient community, into the entire research process. This means patients are not participants they are members of the research team and co-investigators. The central premise is that involving the KU, and in POR, this specifically means the patient or the community, as equal partners withint the research will lead to more relevant and more readily utilized evidence. Each stage of the research process is an opportunity for collaboration with the KU and the patients, including the development and refinement of the research question, the selection of the methodology, data collection, interpretations of findings and the crafting of the key message and dissemination fofresults.

4. What is the relationship between iKT and End-of-Grant KT?
Please note!
iKT plans require a dissemination plan, and this plan is called End-of-Grant KT
At this point it is important to emphasis that although iKT and end-of-grant are not synonymous or san symbiotic, an iKT grant proposal should always include an end-of-grant KT plan as well since getting the evidence to all knowledge users is important.

5. KT Factors for Considerations in iKT
Proposals should demonstrate that the project has been shaped by the knowledge-users and their needs
Therefore the four considerations when developing a research proposal with iKT are:
Research question
Research Approach
Feasibility
Outcomes
SRPOUT Grant proposals should demonstrate that the project has been shaped by knowledge users. This can be assured if four considerations have been taken into account; the research question, the research approach, the feasibility of the research and the outcomes, particularly outcomes which have been generated by the KU

6. 1. Research Question
It is imperative to describe the intent of your research project.
Include the objectives of your research as well as an explanation of the knowledge to be shared
An important part of integrated KT is ensuring the problem or knowledge gap, as described by the research question, has been identified by the knowledge-users and is clearly articulated.
The research question is meant to target knowledge users within in a specific context but your research should be transferable enough that similar audiences would benefit.

7. 2. Research Approach
The methodology selected for the project should clearly address the proposed research question.
However, the iKT methodology may evolve as the project proceeds so may not be entirely formulated at the outset.
Evolution of the methodology is considered acceptable as the primary audience for an iKT project is the knowledge users engaged in the research team.
The second factor to consider in iKt is the research approach. The methodology selected for the project should clearly address the proposed research question , while the overall design of the project should be rigorous. However since your primary audience for iKT project is the knowledge users, who are an essential part of team, as a researcher you must be prepared for your iKT methodology to evolve. Knowledge Users might have insights or new ideas as the project progresses.

8. 2. Research approach (con’t)
The knowledge users, including the patients, need to be realistically and meaningfully engaged in the project.
In the proposal describe how knowledge users will be involved in developing the question, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, crafting the overall message and disseminating the findings.
Specify strategies for sustaining meaningful knowledge users engagement.
Knowledge users and patients are not participants, and this cannot be stressed enough. Knowledge users and patients are expected to be meaningfully embedded in the research team. Their involvement should be purposeful and ongoing so it is important to describe how the KU and patients will be involved and how their involvement will be sustained over the entire project. The level of engagement will vary depending on the knowledge users time commitment and interests, but ensuring they are engaged appropriately and from beginning to end is essential to iKT

9. 3. Feasibility Various risks can threaten iKT.
Ongoing commitment from a knowledge user is ideal.
Disputes may also surface.
Ensure the scope of the project aligns with given time frame and resources.
iKt has a number of inherent risks which can jeopardize a project. These include members leaving the team, disputes, financial constraints or withdrawal of support. Mitigating these are important so ensuring commitment, outlining a collaborative agreement (might include such elements as data and intellectual property) and mechanism for resolving disagreements should are invaluable. Roles should clearly stated and the aligning the scope of the project with resources will also decrease risks.

10. Outcomes
Since iKT should increase the uptake of findings, an iKT proposal should clearly indicate how it will have sustainable impact.
Capturing the knowledge users outcomes can help validate the original goals of the study.
Proposals should include an evaluation plan which assess the iKT approach.
In conducting POR , iKT is likely to increase the uptake of findings and improve the likelihood the research will have an impact. Therefore it is essential that the proposal clearly describes the sustainable impact on practice, programs or policy that could lead to changes in healthcare outcomes. The research question may respond to the needs of the knowledge users but the findings can have greater impact depending on the extent to which they are transferable to other contexts. In this way incorporating KU and patients identified outcomes can validate the goals of the study and serve as a basis for further research. In order to properly capture outcomes the proposal should then include an evaluation plan which can evaluate the iKT approach.

11. What does this mean when writing a proposal with a solid iKT plan?
Clearly articulate the research question
Be crystal clear about the origin of the research question
Be clear and specific about the proposed methods
Describe how the knowledge users will be engaged in the research
Document all the team members and their roles within the research
Read the list above

12. …and what more does it mean when writing a proposal with a solid KT plan?
Indicate why the study is doable from a scientific and practical perspective
Describe the knowledge users interest in the research, the results of the study, and the ways in which they can move the evidence into the healthcare system
Demonstrate that the budget will support iKT
Consider the potential transferability of the study
Include a detailed plan for end-of-grant KT
Develop a reasonable evaluation plan
Read the list above; reminder of case studies in bilbiography

13. End-of Grant KT
End-of-grant KT covers any activity aimed at diffusing, disseminating or applying the results of a research project.
Strategies for sharing research findings range from writing simple communication activities, such as articles, to more intensive application efforts such as tool development and academic detailing.
End-of-Grant KT covers any of the activities aimed at diffusing, disseminating or applying the results of a research project. Appropriate methods range from simple—an article---to complex –online national curriculum Pg 13 of the guidebook has a good list for considering.

14. How to strategize for End-of-grant KT
Traditionally research findings have been disseminated vis academic journals and conferences.
When potential knowledge-users are beyond the research community, the suggestion is for end-of- grant activities to be more intensive and emphasize non academic modes of communication (CIHR, HB, p. 12)
KT end-of grant activities should draw on evidence about what medium/format is most effective for the particular knowledge-users.
CIHR suggests that if potential KU audiences reach beyond the research community, end of grant KT activities should be more intensive and emphasize non-academic modes of communication. This is where KU on a team are invaluable and help align the message with the medium. For all KT activities, it is essential to consider their appropriateness. CIHR recommends when there are limitations on the validity or generaliability of the results, a more modest approach is appropriate, where synthesized evidence, having coming from many studies, constitutes the best knowledge for widespread application.

15. KT Factors for consideration in End-of-grant KT
Goals
Knowledge-user Audience
Strategies
Expertise
Resources
CIHR suggests considering the goals, KU audience, strategies, expertise and resources when planning for end-of-grant KT. Let’s consider these

16. Goals for End of grant KT
There are two broad goals typical of end-of-grant KT activities:
Raising awareness
Promoting action
Goals should be clearly stated and justified.
There are two main goals for end of grant KT –raising awareness and promoting action. The end of grant KT goal must be appropriate to the nature of the research findings and target their audience Therefore it is necessary to both clearly state it and justify it as well.

17. Knowledge User Audience
Audiences should be precisely defined with respect to their role and work related to the research findings
Avoid simply listing team members
The audience to which the research findings target should be identified and justified
When writing your SPROUT grant application you will need to make educated assumptions as to what your end-of-grant KT might entail. In doin so, identify the groups or individuals who shuld know what your research findings. Audiences should be precisely defined with respect to their sector of work and their role in decision-making; simply naming them is insufficient.

18. Strategies for End-of Grant KT
Strategies to address the identified audiences of the KT goals should be appropriate.
End-of-grant strategies fall broadly into three categories:
Diffusion
Dissemination
Application
When writing your KT end of grant plan ensure your strategies are appropriate to both the nature of the audience and the type of evidence being shared. There are three broad end of grant categories. I’ll expand on them in the next three slides.

19. Diffusion “Let it happen”
This communication of the key research messages is not customized
It typically targets an audience which is seeking research evidence
Examples include journal articles and conference presentations
Diffusion is the “let it happen” strategy. It is the communication of info using delivery mechanisms for which little customization is necessary to reach target audiences that typically seek out research evidence eg. Academic journal article

20. Dissemination Help it happen”
This communication of the key research messages is more tailored as it is adapted to the specific audience and context in which the knowledge will be used.
The process for adapting the evidence and the strategies for dissemination are both considered
An example would be a workshop on fall prevention for seniors
Dissemination it the “ let it happen” strategy. It is more tailored in the communication vehicle and the messaging si adapted to the specific audience/and//or context in which the knowledge is to be used. It is important tot consider the processing for adapting the evidence so it is undertsnad to the audience and uses a delivery tactic which the audience will find engaging.

21. Application “Make it happen”
This communication of the key research messages is very tailored and moves knowledge from into use
Example: a car seat safety checklist in plain language for new parents
Application is the “make it happen” strategy. It is the most tailored form of end-of-grant KT as it moves knowledge into use in cases where the strength of the evidence is sufficient and significant. The strategy selected shuld be well justified in the context of the goals and target audiences. Key messages should be well identified and the barriers to facilitating the knowledge should be well considered.

22. Expertise in End of Grant KT
Specific expertise might be required to the identified strategies
The research proposal should include team members with the appropriate level of expertise to complete the end-of-grant KT plan.
Specific expertise might be necessary to deliver of specified end of grant strategies. The expertise needed should be driven by the KT goals and audiences and strategies. For example if the plan was to produce a video than expertise in this domain needs to be identified on the team., or needs a videographer needs to become a team member.

23. Resource Allocation in End of Grant KT
The research proposal should depict an end-of-grant KT plan which can be accomplished with the available resources.
When writing the SPROUT grant proposal ensure the proposed KT activities can be delivered with the resources available and the budget allotted.

24. Summary
Healthcare has expanded its understanding of knowledge translation to include what is termed “integrated knowledge translation”.
The people who will ultimately use and benefit from the knowledge must be meaningfully engaged in the research from start to finish.
This involves building end-of grant knowledge translation into the research process realizing that if evidence is to be useful it must be successfully applied.
KT is about raising the knowledge users awareness of research findings and facilitating the use of these findings. Through the iKT approach and with deliberate end-of grant planning both greater awareness and the application of research evidence, the SPROUT grant aims to better healthcare for people in SK

25. References
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2012). Guide to knowledge translation planning at CIHR: Integrated and end-of-grant approaches. Ottawa: CIHR. Available:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (2010). Knowledge to action: An end of grant knowledge translation casebook. Ottawa: CIHR. Available: irsc.gc.ca/e/documents/cihr_kt_casebook_2010_e.pdf