Abstract
PurposeThe Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES), a network of pharmacoepidemiologists and other researchers from seven provincial sites, provides evidence on the benefits and risks of drugs used by Canadians. The Knowledge Translation Team, one of CNODES' four main teams, evaluates the impact of its efforts using an iterative and emergent approach. This article shares key lessons from early evaluation phases, including identifying stakeholders and their evaluation needs, choosing evaluation theories and approaches, and developing evaluation questions, designs, and methods appropriate for the CNODES context.MethodsStakeholder analysis was conducted using documentary analysis to determine key contextual factors and research evidence needs of decision maker partners and other stakeholders. Selected theories and frameworks from the evaluation and knowledge translation literature informed decisions about evaluation design and implementation. A developmental approach to evaluation was deemed appropriate due to the innovative, complex, and ever‐changing context.ResultsA theory of change, logic model, and potential evaluation questions were developed, informed by the stakeholder analysis. Early indicators of program impact (citation metrics, alternative metrics) have been documented; efforts to collect data on additional indicators are ongoing.ConclusionA flexible, iterative, and emergent evaluation approach allows the Knowledge Translation Team to apply lessons learned from completed projects to ongoing research projects, adapt its approaches based on stakeholder needs, document successes, and be accountable to funders/stakeholders. This evaluation approach may be useful for other international pharmacoepidemiology research networks planning and implementing evaluations of similarly complex, multistakeholder initiatives that are subject to constant change.
Highlights
Government‐funded research networks are increasingly called upon to document the results of their knowledge translation activities and assess the impact of their research.[1,2,3,4] The Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),* is no exception.[5]
¶¶Dr Nancy Carter and Dr Anatoliy Gruzd presented at the CNODES semi‐ annual meeting held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 2013
Developmental, utilization‐focused, and program theory‐driven evaluation.*** A developmental evaluation approach was chosen because of its usefulness in evaluating complex programs that exist within an environment of constant growth and change
Summary
Government‐funded research networks are increasingly called upon to document the results of their knowledge translation activities and assess the impact of their research.[1,2,3,4] The Canadian Network for Observational Drug Effect Studies (CNODES), funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR),* is no exception.[5] This increased focus on impact assessment is embedded in the Canadian and international research landscapes. Funders, government agencies, and institutions are increasingly requiring individual researchers and research groups to provide evidence of the impact of their research,† especially in health services research.[11]
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