Today, producing or using research results that reach out to society is important for scientists, practitioners and public policy.
Nevertheless, some studies show that the process of mobilizing research knowledge is so complicated that it is not sufficiently considered in practice and decision-making circles..
Highlights of MOOC training in Knowledge Transfer
This post aims to highlight the elements of the process leading to the use of knowledge. They are taken from the MOOC in Knowledge Transfer – Knowledge Brokering developed by the RENARD research team.
What is knowledge brokering? It’s a “process that aims, with the help of an intermediary, to foster relationships and interactions between people in the world of research, intervention and decision-making to produce and support the use of available and relevant knowledge”.
If you’d like to play the role of intermediary between research, practice and decision-making, or if you’d like to integrate a brokerage vision into your projects, this course is for you! Find out more here.
Stages in the knowledge-to-practice process for knowledge brokers
As a (future) knowledge broker, here are the different steps in the knowledge-to-practice process to think about:
- Identify the problems and needs of potential knowledge users
- Adapting knowledge to the local context
- Identify factors that facilitate or hinder the use of knowledge
- Select and adapt strategy and activities
- Monitor the use of knowledge
- Evaluate the results of activities
- Promoting the sustainability of the initiative
Needs analysis for a better understanding of the problem: assessment of existing knowledge and identification of new knowledge
To better understand a problem and make better decisions, it’s important to analyze needs to better understand demand, identify challenges and issues, and determine added value. It’s worth asking yourself:
- What are the knowledge requirements?
- When did these needs emerge? Recent or long-standing?
- What difficulties can be anticipated?
- Who is opposed to the decision?
In addition, it is necessary to assess whether we wish to validate existing knowledge or identify new knowledge.
Essential interpersonal skills for knowledge brokers: creating a collaborative climate
As a broker/broker or future broker/broker, it is essential to establish a collaborative climate and to have several of the 7 interpersonal skills:
- Being a good listener
- Questioning stakeholders
- Putting aside personal judgments
- Rallying people
- Bringing together points of view
- Demonstrate flexibility
- Understanding people and their perspective
Different practices for capturing and analyzing the best knowledge
There are practices for capturing and analyzing the best knowledge.
- Documentary research
Some search objects require you to examine the (grey or white) literature. In order to carry out a quality search, it is important to use Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to connect ideas, concepts or keywords, in order to find the most relevant results possible and adjust your choice of keywords.
Subsequently, a synthesis of the relevant publications identified is required to list the new knowledge acquired.
- Reviewing practices
It is also possible to conduct a review of practices (similar and credible environments, similar institutions, comparable countries, equivalent budgets), in order to identify examples, procedures, stories and protocols to help implement practices (change management, implementation of a practice, benefits, implementation challenges). This can be done by consulting specialized sites and interviewing promoters.
- Expert consultation
When the subject requires innovative knowledge, is the subject of polarized perspectives or conflicting research findings, expert consultation can be useful. Experts guide research and decision-making, advise on the quality of studies and are involved in the production of knowledge.
- The day before
In order to keep abreast of new publications on a subject, maintain an up-to-date body of knowledge, or guide the renewal of decisions made, it makes sense to set up a watch. To achieve this, you need to take into account your different needs, determine the frequency of consultation and subscribe to specialized newsletters.
- Systematic reviews
We are currently faced with an explosion in the amount of published research. It is essential to organize the body of knowledge in a rigorous way. Systematic reviews of the literature are a way of synthesizing knowledge to facilitate decision-making. There are different types of systematic review. Here’s an overview:
Target relevant knowledge transfer activities according to the context to be implemented
There are three criteria to take into account when deciding which activities are relevant to your context:
- Transfer strategy objectives according to target audience
- The desired or possible degree of interactivity with audiences
- The mechanisms that will be activated to promote the use of knowledge
Adapt knowledge transfer tools to each target audience
Each target audience has different characteristics and preferences. To motivate them to participate in knowledge transfer activities, the tool needs to be adapted to their profile.
There are four main stages in adapting the content and form of our tools:
STEP 1: clearly define your audience(s)
STEP 2: Identify the characteristics of the target audience(s)
STEP 3: Improve knowledge communication
STEP 4: Testing (only a test with members of the target audience can ensure that the CT tool is suitable)
Find out how to define your audience with our soon-to-be-released summary sheets.
Choosing the right distribution channels
It’s vital to choose the right channels for disseminating or sharing knowledge, depending on the preferences of our target audience.
To help you communicate with your audience capture and maintain their attentionand promote understanding and memorization of your presentationPhDesign has prepared a series of 3 summary sheets. Discover them soon.
Now you have an idea of what the Renard team’s MOOC training course on knowledge transfer is all about. For more information on this course: Find it here.
Contact us to learn more about our services : [email protected]
