1. Implementation Science
  2. Research & Practice Tools
  3. Research Tools

To help researchers better understand, plan for, and conduct rigorous dissemination and implementation studies, the tools below are organized by theories, frameworks, and models; measures; strategies; research methods and study designs; and additional resources (i.e., websites and books). Check back for updates as additional tools become available.

Theories, Frameworks, and Models

Dissemination and Implementation Models in Health Research and Practice

The Dissemination and Implementation Models in Health Research and Practice website was designed to help researchers and practitioners select the theory, framework, or model that best fit their research question or practice problem, adapt it to the study or practice context, integrate it into the research or practice process, and find existing measurement instruments for its constructs.

Related Articles

  • Damschroder LJ, Aron DC, Keith RE, Kirsh SR, Alexander JA, Lowery JC. Fostering implementation of health services research findings into practice: a consolidated framework for advancing implementation science. Implement Sci. 2009;4:50. doi:10.1186/1748-5908-4-50 exit disclaimer.
  • Glasgow RE, Harden SM, Gaglio B, et al. RE-AIM planning and evaluation framework: adapting to new science and practice with a 20- year review. Front Public Health. 2019;7:64. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00064 exit disclaimer.
  • Moullin JC, Dickson KS, Stadnik NA, Rabin B, Aarons GA. Systematic review of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Implement Sci. 2019;14(1):1. doi:10.1186/s13012-018-0842-6 exit disclaimer.
  • Nilsen P. Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implement Sci. 2015;10:53. doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0242-0 exit disclaimer.
  • Strifler L, Cardoso R, McGowan J, et al. Scoping review identifies significant number of knowledge translation theories, models, and frameworks with limited use. J Clin Epidemiol. 2018;100:92-102. doi:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2018.04.008 exit disclaimer.

Measures & Outcomes

Measurement & Evaluation Webinars

The Implementation Science Webinars series focused on measurement and evaluation.

TIDIRC

TIDIRC OpenAccess Module on Measures

Module 4 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on implementation science measures.

Related Articles

  • Rabin BA, Lewis CC, Norton WE, et al. Measurement resources for dissemination and implementation research in health. Implement Sci. 2016;11:42. doi:10.1186/s13012-016-0401-y exit disclaimer.
  • Mettert K, Lewis C, Dorsey C, Halko H, Weiner B. Measuring implementation outcomes: an updated systematic review of measures' psychometric properties. Implement Res Pract. 2020;1. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2633489520936644.exit disclaimer.
  • Proctor E, Silmere H, Raghavan R, et al. Outcomes for implementation research: conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges, and research agenda. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2011;38(2):65-76. doi:10.1007/s10488-010-0319-7 exit disclaimer.

Implementation Strategies

Implementation Strategies Webinar

The Implementation Science Webinars series hosted the presentation "Identifying, Specifying, and Applying Implementation Strategies" by Dr. Byron Powell.

TIDIRC

TIDIRC OpenAccess Module on Measures

Module 6 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on implementation strategies.

Related Articles

  • Kirchner JE, Smith JL, Powell BJ, Waltz TJ, Proctor EK. Getting a clinical innovation into practice: an introduction to implementation strategies. Psychiatry Res. 2020;283:112467. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.042 exit disclaimer.
  • Leeman J, Birken SA, Powell BJ, Rohweder C, Shea CM. Beyond "implementation strategies:" classifying the full range of strategies used in implementation science and practice. Implement Sci. 2017;12(1):125. doi:10.1186/s13012-017-0657-x exit disclaimer.
  • Powell BJ, Waltz TJ, Chinman MJ, et al. A refined compilation of implementation strategies: results from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project. Implement Sci. 2015;10(21). doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0209-1 exit disclaimer.
  • Powell BJ, Fernandez ME, Williams NJ, et al. Enhancing the impact of implementation strategies in healthcare: a research agenda. Front Public Health. 2019;7:3. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00003 exit disclaimer.

Research Methods and Study Designs

Qualitative Methods in Implementation Science

This paper focuses on the multiple ways in which qualitative methods can be effectively used to answer a range of high priority implementation science questions, and describes resources that are available to support the community.

Study Design Webinars

The Implementation Science Webinars series focused on various research methods and study designs.

TIDIRC

TIDIRC OpenAccess Module on Measures

Module 5 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on study designs in implementation science.

Related Articles

  • Brown CH, Curran G, Palinkas LA, et al. An overview of research and evaluation designs for dissemination and implementation. Annu Rev Public Health. 2017;38:1-22. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044215 exit disclaimer.
  • Handley MA, Lyles CR, McCulloch C, Cattamanchi A. Selecting and improving quasi-experimental designs in effectiveness and implementation research. Annu Rev Public Health. 2018;39:5-25. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040617-014128 exit disclaimer.
  • Landes SJ, McBain SA, Curran GM. An introduction to effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs. Psychiatry Res. 2019;280:112513. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112513 exit disclaimer.
  • Palinkas LA, Mendon SJ, Hamilton AB. Innovations in mixed methods evaluations. Annu Rev Public Health. 2019;40:423-442. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044215 exit disclaimer.
  • Hamilton AB, Finley EP. Qualitative methods in implementation research: an introduction. Psychiatry Res. 2019;280:112516. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112516.

Additional Resources

Implementation Science Exchange

The Implementation Science Exchange is a free, online source for those interested in resources to help design, acquire funding for, execute, and disseminate implementation science research projects. The exchange will find (or create) resources, tools, websites, guides, toolkits, and sample grant applications to help support researchers in the field of implementation science, particularly those new to research or new to the field itself.

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UW Implementation Science Resource Hub

The Implementation Science Resource Hub is a resource of the UW Department of Global Health's Implementation Science Program to help further the ongoing implementation research and education, providing introduction to the field of implementation science for students and new researchers, curating selections of supporting resources for further study.

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Books

  • Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2017.
  • Chambers DA, Vinson CA, Norton WE, eds. Advancing the Science of Implementation Across the Cancer Continuum. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2018.
  • Greenhalgh T. How to Implement Evidence-Based Healthcare. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell; 2019.
  • Straus SE, Tetroe J, Graham ID, eds. Knowledge Translation in Health Care: Moving From Evidence to Practice. 2nd ed. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Books; 2013.

Last Updated

June 17, 2021