Abstract
BackgroundIncreasingly, health researchers must demonstrate the impact and real-life applications of their research. We investigated how health researchers with expertise in knowledge translation report research translation activities and impact on their curriculum vitae (CV).MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of health researchers with expertise in knowledge translation as we anticipated best practices in CV reporting from this specialized group. Our survey asked participants about their reporting of research translation and impact activities on their CVs, intention to report, and barriers and facilitators to reporting such activities on their CVs. We calculated univariate descriptive statistics for all quantitative data. Linear regression models determined predictors of researchers’ intention to report research translation and impact activities on their CVs. We analyzed open-ended qualitative responses using content analysis.ResultsOne hundred and fifty-three health researchers responded to the survey (response rate = 29%). Most respondents were Canadian, were female, and had a doctoral degree. Eighty-two percent indicated they reported at least one research translation and/or impact indicator on their CVs. Of those, health researchers commonly reported the following: advisory/regulatory committee membership related to research program (83%), research translation award(s) (61%), and academic performance assessments (59%). Researchers least commonly indicated the following: citation metric scores (31%), summaries of impact (21%), and requests to use research materials and/or products (19%). Fewer than half of the health researchers intended to report knowledge translation (43%) and impact (33%) on their CVs. Strong beliefs about capabilities and consequences of reporting research translation and/or impact were significant predictors of intention. Main barriers were as follows: CV templates do not include research translation and impact activities, participants perceived employers do not value research translation and impact activities, and lack of metrics to evaluate research translation and impact. Ninety-six percent were unaware of a CV template formatted to include research translation and/or impact reporting.ConclusionsKnowledge translation and impact indicators on the CV are inconsistently reported by our sample of health researchers. Modifiable barriers should be addressed to support more consistent reporting of such activities, including providing a CV template that includes research translation and impact as well as clear metrics to quantify them.
Highlights
Health researchers must demonstrate the impact and real-life applications of their research
Our findings show that knowledge translation and impact indicators on the curriculum vitae (CV) are inconsistently reported and health researchers face numerous, but potentially modifiable, barriers to reporting research translation and/or impact activities on their CVs
Health researchers suggest that a CV template that includes research translation and impact would facilitate meeting academe’s expectations for demonstrating and reporting such activities
Summary
Health researchers must demonstrate the impact and real-life applications of their research. Rewarded academic outputs have traditionally focused on grant funding received, invited national/international presentations, and peerreviewed publications [6,7,8] These outputs are evaluated for tenure and promotion, they do not necessarily indicate researchers’ impact on practice or policy [9]. Research translation and impact activities aim to close the research-practice gap, leading to better patient and health system outcomes [13, 14]. This includes the diffusion, dissemination, and application of evidence such that researchers have made societal contributions beyond academia (e.g., economic, cultural, policy, services).
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