Use Of Research-based Knowledge Research Articles

Social work bachelor students’ knowledge awareness during field practice

Social work has increasingly become a research-based discipline, while at the same time acknowledging the importance of knowledge gained through practical experience and user knowledge. Awareness of various forms of knowledge becomes particularly relevant to practice as it constitutes a framework for understanding and addressing social problems in real-life situations. This article presents findings from a Q methodological study exploring social work bachelor students’ perspectives on knowledge after taking part in research-oriented activities during field practice placement in Norwegian welfare organizations. The aim of the study was to explore how bachelor students of social work understand and find knowledge useful to social work practice. Q methodology aims at revealing shared perspectives, and facilitates comparison between perspectives. Three perspectives on knowledge emerged from the study. The first emphasizes the importance of combining experience-based knowledge and research-based knowledge. The second suggests an orientation towards research-based knowledge as a strategy for innovation, while the third focuses on an active and confident, yet critical, use of research-based knowledge when working with service users. Field placements as arenas for enhancing students’ knowledge awareness, and bridging various forms of knowledge, are discussed in light of these findings.

Who knows best? Understanding the use of research-based knowledge in conservation conflicts

The way in which research-based knowledge is used, interpreted and communicated by different actors can influence the dynamics of conservation conflicts. The conflict that occurs between grouse shooting interests and the conservation of birds of prey in Scotland is notoriously complex, involving multiple actors at multiple levels, and shaped by the values and world views of these actors. This paper explores how research-based knowledge is used in the debate by six key organisations, and looks to understand the drivers that may influence knowledge use and interpretation in this, and other, cases of conservation conflict.Research was used to both legitimise and reinforce certain world views, and to support associated political actions that would cause these to become reality. Actors offered divergent interpretations of the same piece of research, emphasising different findings and outcomes. Research-based knowledge was thus employed by actors to support or counter the ‘status quo’, and challenge other claims that clashed with their own values. Although the intention of such knowledge use is unclear, the selective reconstruction of research by actors could stem from, and reiterate, divergent value systems. This may pose significant challenges to conflict mitigation efforts; whilst some may look to research-based knowledge as the bringer of truth, its interpretation by different actors may exacerbate existing rifts between stakeholders; promoting polarisation of views. Mitigation strategies should be sensitive to this, and aim to improve the inclusiveness and transparency of the knowledge transfer process.

Addressing the challenges of knowledge co-production in quality improvement: learning from the implementation of the researcher-in-residence model.

The concept of knowledge co-production is used in health services research to describe partnerships (which can involve researchers, practitioners, managers, commissioners or service users) with the purpose of creating, sharing and negotiating different knowledge types used to make improvements in health services. Several knowledge co-production models have been proposed to date, some involving intermediary roles. This paper explores one such model, researchers-in-residence (also known as ‘embedded researchers’).In this model, researchers work inside healthcare organisations, operating as staff members while also maintaining an affiliation with academic institutions. As part of the local team, researchers negotiate the meaning and use of research-based knowledge to co-produce knowledge, which is sensitive to the local context. Even though this model is spreading and appears to have potential for using co-produced knowledge to make changes in practice, a number of challenges with its use are emerging. These include challenges experienced by the researchers in embedding themselves within the practice environment, preserving a clear focus within their host organisations and maintaining academic professional identity.In this paper, we provide an exploration of these challenges by examining three independent case studies implemented in the UK, each of which attempted to co-produce relevant research projects to improve the quality of care. We explore how these played out in practice and the strategies used by the researchers-in-residence to address them. In describing and analysing these strategies, we hope that participatory approaches to knowledge co-production can be used more effectively in the future.

Policy for the effective research university

Research for development policy for the Effective Research University case study of Khon Kaen University used the principle of policy research divided into three stages: 1) the synthesis document 2) Interviews of experts and 3) focus group discussion. Target groups include administrators, faculty member and university researchers. Research tools were documentary analysis questionnaires and the focus group form. The analysis and interpreted data were performed by content analysis.Research findings As a leading research university with international quality and standards as importance goal which requires challenge strategies aimed to integrative change as follows,Preparing personnel together, determine the faculty strategies to support personnel and researchers, using a variety of research products, creative works develop into applied research and development research and create system and mechanisms of intellectual property to develop into commercial applications continuously. Establishing research fund to motivate faculty members researchers and graduate students for knowledge technologies to be utilized and satisfy the needs of local and nationally. Knowledge management of the experiences of a senior researcher ,support the teaching and learning process by using the study as a base by integrating research and teaching at both the subjects and courses including the use of research-based knowledge to manage the process of decision making, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and improvement work. Support for research and transfer research to the public focus on professional development and quality of life as well as the base for the development of networking and knowledge sharing. Awards & recognition / reward and honor researchers and research institution with outstanding performance in research and innovation to accelerate the strengthening of research integration, towards selfreliance build competitiveness and social guides. Keywords: Research University, challenge strategies

Policy for the effective research university

Research for development policy for the Effective Research University case study of Khon Kaen University used the principle of policy research divided into three stages: 1) the synthesis document 2) Interviews of experts and 3) focus group discussion. Target groups include administrators, faculty member and university researchers. Research tools were documentary analysis questionnaires and the focus group form.  The analysis and interpreted data were performed by content analysis.Research findings As a leading research university with international quality and standards as importance goal which requires challenge strategies aimed to integrative change as follows,Preparing personnel together, determine the faculty strategies to support personnel and researchers, using a variety of research products, creative works develop into applied research and development research and create system and mechanisms of intellectual property to develop into commercial applications continuously. Establishing research fund to motivate faculty members researchers and graduate students for knowledge technologies to be utilized and satisfy the needs of local and nationally. Knowledge management of the experiences of a senior researcher ,support the teaching and learning process by using the study as a base by integrating research and teaching at both the subjects and courses including the use of research-based knowledge to manage the process of decision making, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and improvement work. Support for research and transfer research to the public focus on professional development and quality of life as well as the base for the development of networking and knowledge sharing. Awards & recognition / reward and honor researchers and research institution with outstanding performance in research and innovation to accelerate the strengthening of research integration, towards selfreliance build competitiveness and social guides.   Keywords: Research University,  challenge strategies&nbsp

Policy for the effective research university

Research for development policy for the Effective Research University case study of Khon Kaen University used the principle of policy research divided into three stages: 1) the synthesis document 2) Interviews of experts and 3) focus group discussion. Target groups include administrators, faculty member and university researchers. Research tools were documentary analysis questionnaires and the focus group form. The analysis and interpreted data were performed by content analysis.Research findings As a leading research university with international quality and standards as importance goal which requires challenge strategies aimed to integrative change as follows,Preparing personnel together, determine the faculty strategies to support personnel and researchers, using a variety of research products, creative works develop into applied research and development research and create system and mechanisms of intellectual property to develop into commercial applications continuously. Establishing research fund to motivate faculty members researchers and graduate students for knowledge technologies to be utilized and satisfy the needs of local and nationally. Knowledge management of the experiences of a senior researcher ,support the teaching and learning process by using the study as a base by integrating research and teaching at both the subjects and courses including the use of research-based knowledge to manage the process of decision making, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and improvement work. Support for research and transfer research to the public focus on professional development and quality of life as well as the base for the development of networking and knowledge sharing. Awards & recognition / reward and honor researchers and research institution with outstanding performance in research and innovation to accelerate the strengthening of research integration, towards selfreliance build competitiveness and social guides. 
 Keywords: Research University, challenge strategies

Nursing students’ knowledge-based reflections in psychiatric clinical practice

Background: Knowledge-based practice integrates the three aspects research-based, experience-based and user-based knowledge. The aim of the study was to investigate how nursing students reflect these three aspects in their reflection notes when students were in their psychiatric clinical practice. Methods: During psychiatric practice, 13 nursing students wrote 110 reflection notes. The notes were analyzed using direct content analysis. Results: The notes were found to contain 1,643 knowledge-based statements. The statements were mostly experience-based (n = 835), followed by research-based (n = 518) and user-based (n = 290). The experience-based statements mirrored students’ encounters with patients and students interpretations to their experiences. Students references in reflection notes were cited from textbooks and with at least use of one research article. The references mirrored use of research-based knowledge. The user-knowledge was inconspicuous in the students- reflection notes in the beginning of their clinical practice but after a week in the clinic their reflection notes contained user-based statements. These mirrored patients statements as students expressed them and students perceptions about patients perspective. Conclusions: The students reflect within all the three areas, but the use of research-based knowledge should be improved.

A Proposed Policy for the Effective Research University

Research for development policy for the Effective Research University used the principle of policy research divided into three stages: 1) the synthesis document 2) Interviews of experts and 3) focus group discussion. Target groups include administrators, faculty member and university researchers. Research tools were documentary analysis questionnaires and the focus group form. The analysis and interpreted data were performed by content analysis. Research findings of Leading Research University with international quality and standards as importance goal which requires challenge strategies aimed to integrative change as follows, preparing personnel together, determine the faculty strategies to support personnel and researchers, using a variety of research products, creative works develop into applied research and development research and create system and mechanisms of intellectual property to develop into commercial applications continuously. Establishing research fund to motivate faculty members researchers and graduate students for knowledge technologies to be utilized and satisfy the needs of local and nationally. Knowledge management of the experiences of a senior researcher, support the teaching and learning process by using the study as a base by integrating research and teaching at both the subjects and courses including the use of research-based knowledge to manage the process of decision making, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and improvement work. Support for research and transfer research to the public focus on professional development and quality of life as well as the base for the development of networking and knowledge sharing. Awards and recognition/reward and honor researchers and research institution with outstanding performance in research and innovation to accelerate the strengthening of research integration, towards self-reliance build competitiveness and social guides.

Research-based knowledge to corporate businesses: the Danish experience

One of the goals in the Danish Government’s strategy for growth in Denmark is to promote the awareness, access and use of research-based knowledge to citizens and institutions, both private and public. In gaining better use of research-based knowledge, Denmark’s chances of being able to play a prominent role as a knowledge society, both nationally and internationally, will substantially increase. To transform the strategy into practice Denmark’s Electronic Research Library, deff, has been created. In this article business consultant of deff, Anders Mejlbjerg, describes how deff is working to expand the awareness of research-based knowledge to various public institutions and to small and medium-sized private enterprises, known as SMEs.

The self-reported use of research in clinical practice: A survey of occupational therapists in Sweden

Background: Today, healthcare providers and occupational therapists are increasingly required to rely on evidence-based practices. In both outpatient and inpatient settings, the use of research-based practices can be identified using the Research Utilization Measure questionnaire. Aim: This study explores how occupational therapists in Sweden perceive research utilization. Method: The Research Utilization Measure was sent to 807 randomly selected occupational therapists in Sweden, and the response rate was 59% (n = 472). Results: The majority of respondents (56%, n = 256) reported use of research-based knowledge in their practice “very or rather often”, although 49% (n = 225) of the therapists noted that they “very seldom or never” discussed research findings with their managers. Differences in answers for most items were related to degree of education and length of experience. Occupational therapists with higher education levels more often reported use of research in their clinical practice and therapists with greater experience less often reported use of research in their clinical practice. Conclusion: Education seems to influence the degree to which occupational therapists rely on research to inform their practices. A future challenge for managers and occupational therapists is to create strategic discussions on how to implement treatment that is based on current research.

Swedish spatial planning: A blunt instrument for the protection of outdoor recreation

Outdoor recreation opportunities are in great demand across Europe—so much so that for many citizens it affects their choice of where to live. National authorities, for example the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (2005), have stressed that municipal spatial planning (i.e. local land use planning) should be used to protect outdoor recreation. However, the circumstances under which outdoor recreation is integrated into spatial planning remain unclear. The study draws on a survey of Swedish citizens, and another survey of planning officials representing all 290 Swedish municipalities, qualitative interviews with ten municipal planning officials, and analyses of comprehensive planning documents in eleven municipalities. Based on a discussion of the supply of and demand for urban and peri-urban nature, the results show that in Sweden spatial planning is an important, but somewhat blunt instrument for the protection of nature areas suitable for outdoor recreation. It is argued that, a combination of the following planning measures would make it more effective: (i) increased public participation in the planning process; (ii) greater use of research-based knowledge of outdoor recreation; (iii) umbrella legislation for outdoor recreation; (iv) changes to the wording of the legislation; and (v) research on providing clearer definitions and their implementation to planning. Management implicationsThis case study about the position of outdoor recreation in Swedish planning processes bears relevance for an international audience of practitioners and researchers. In Sweden, outdoor recreation as public interest carries very high rhetorical value, but both the spatial planning practice and the planning legislation carry notable weaknesses in defense of these interests. The following strategies are proposed to alleviate this situation:–Knowledge about public recreation and suitable natural areas in and around urban areas needs to be communicated at all levels of spatial planning, to support the required trade-offs between competing interests.–The high demand for recreational opportunities close to people׳s homes is one particularly strong argument for defending the public interest.–In order to strengthen public participation, the planning process should be made more transparent, public meetings should be made more inviting, and be held at suitable times. Participation and knowledge transfer can also be enhanced by new methods such as geographic information systems (Soft GIS) that allow residents to share their knowledge of their living environment with urban planners and researchers.

RESEARCH-BASED KNOWLEDGE FOR POLICY DECISION MAKING: MAXIMIZING THE OPPORTUNITIES OF IMPACT

The permanent dissatisfaction about abilities of state legislation together with public administration to use scientific research knowledge for public decision making has underpin. Not inconsiderable body of dissatisfaction comes from the side of policy managers and practitioners with reflection of unperfected quality of research outcomes. However, effectiveness of research-based knowledge utilisation for public decision making is not a self-oriented or spontaneous action. It challenges the research content quality on the one hand and the policy modelling process on the other hand. The goal of this research was to outline the managerial practical implications for the potential use of research-based knowledge with the purpose to improve public policy decision making and to propose the actionable framework for use of research based knowledge. The study design. The investigation was based on the analysis of officially issued scientific reports, which were initiated and funded by the government with the purpose to inform policy decision making. The sample frame consisted of 50 scientific research reports (6780 pages) issued in the period of 2007-2009 from the pull of 180 and lay under responsibility of two ministries: Ministry of Economy and Ministry of Education and Science. The topics of research reports cover health resort research, health improvement, administration burden diminishing, special regulation for researchers’ social security, intellectual property rights, small and medium business development, technology park development, and so on. The key findings. Knowledge for policy decision making is conceptualized during interaction of policy actors, who represent own stakes. However, the policy decision is made before a certain knowledge level is reached and determines the fundamental common decision making knowledge gap, which could be filled by research-based knowledge. The evidence based policy paradigm recognises wide list of barriers for sustainable utilisation of research-based knowledge for policy decision making (governmental political commitments; legislators’ skills to communicate research and low awareness of research, researchers’ distance from political context and managerial needs). Taken in to account knowledge generation environment for policy decision making (policy rounds and actors diversification), paper propose the model for research based knowledge utilisation coping with the obstacles of evidence based policy and facilitate this utilisation via natural relieve of barriers cause. The managerial framework is based on threefold aspects, such as a.) the research content quality including transformation scenarios; b.) the research process interaction with policy making rounds; c.) alignment of policy creation actors with researchers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eis.0.7.5152

Standards, Policy Paradoxes, and the New Literacy Studies: A Call to Professional Political Action

AbstractIn this commentary, the author uses New Literacy Studies theories to examine the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI). Through analysis and critique of the CCSSI and related reform efforts underway in the United States, the author discusses how policy mandates can and have resulted in paradoxes. Corporate discourses of effectiveness and bureaucracy (intentionally or otherwise) undercut the use of research‐based knowledge for literacy education reform. Consequently, professional literacy educators are positioned to subordinate themselves in the governance of their own profession despite statements by reform leaders that they must have the autonomy to make expert decisions that help students learn and practice literacy in contemporary society. The author calls for organizations like the International Reading Association to act politically and strategically, create knowledge, mobilize members, and educate stakeholders so that policy reforms become more equitable, just, and successful for the ends they are intended to meet.

Research-based knowledge.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has launched its Knowledge Mobilisation Fellowship Scheme and is inviting applications from people with significant NHS or academic experience who can show their potential to encourage more effective use of research-based knowledge in health care. The scheme is aimed at developing leaders or champions who will improve quality and relevance of NIHR and other health research through greater service involvement; improve uptake, application and influence of research in the NHS; and develop capacity in organisations for accessing, appraising and using research evidence.

Knowledge exchange strategies for interventions and policy in public health

Promoting the use of research-based knowledge in public health becomes more complex when public health includes interventions on health determinants. This article examines strategies for knowledge synthesis, translation and exchange (KSTE) in the context of public health in Canada, making reference to the work of the recently established National Collaborating Centres for Public Health (NCCs). NCCs simultaneously pursue KSTE and study how KSTE strategies meet different needs. Because NCCs are focused on interventions and policies, they must address the relationship between knowledge and policy, and how amenable it is to change. KSTE can seek to respond to and inform an existing policy agenda, but it can also seek to shape, frame and change that agenda. The two paths might call for different approaches, and for expanding the boundaries of KSTE in health.

Accuracy and Quality in the Nursing Documentation of Pressure Ulcers

To determine the accuracy and describe the quality of nursing documentation of pressure ulcers in a hospital care setting. A cross-sectional survey was used comparing retrospective audits of nursing documentation of pressure ulcers to previous physical examinations of patients. All inpatient records (n = 413) from February 5, 2002, at the surgical/orthopedic (n = 144), medical (n = 182), and geriatric (n = 87) departments of one Swedish University hospital. The European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel data collection form and the Comprehensiveness In Nursing Documentation. All 413 records were reviewed for presence of notes on pressure ulcers; the findings were compared with the previous examination of patients' skin condition. Records with notes on pressure ulcers (n = 59) were audited using the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel and Comprehensiveness In Nursing Documentation instruments. The overall prevalence of pressure ulcers obtained by audit of patient records was 14.3% compared to 33.3% when the patients' skin was examined. The lack of accuracy was most evident in the documentation of grade 1 pressure ulcers. The quality of the nursing documentation of pressure ulcer (n = 59) was generally poor. Patient records did not present valid and reliable data about pressure ulcers. There is a need for guidelines to support the care planning process and facilitate the use of research-based knowledge in clinical practice. More attention must be focused on the quality of clinical data to make proper use of electronic patient records in the future.

Toward an alternative strategy for international assistance to education

Priorities and strategies for education: a World Bank review (World Bank, 1995; hereafter the Review) is the most recent in a series of documents published by the World Bank describing its policies with respect to loans for educational projects in developing countries. The Review makes a strong case for continued efforts to improve education. To accomplish this, it recommends increased spending on public education and the expanded use of research-based knowledge to identify effective policies. The Review goes further, prescribing specific policies that the World Bank will support. Finally, the Rev/ew calls for increased participation by national stakeholders in the formulation of educational policies, and co-ordination of the activities of international assistance agencies. These recommendations constitute a strategy for international assistance to education. The central axis of the Rev/ew's strategy--increased use of research to inform policy making--is highly laudable, but the means proposed to accomplish this aim make realization of other objectives, particularly national participation in policy formulation, unlikely. The first section of this paper summarizes the Review and identifies the weaknesses of its argument. The second section of the paper proposes an alternative strategy for international assistance to education that is more likely to achieve the worthwhile objectives set out in the Rev/ew.

Implementing a clinical practice guideline to improve pediatric intravenous infiltration outcomes.

The focus on quality, efficiency, and cost containment has spurred development of clinical practice guidelines to facilitate the use of research-based knowledge and expert opinion to promote desired outcomes. At the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, pediatric nursing took a leadership role in developing multidisciplinary guidelines for the prevention and treatment of intravenous infiltrations in pediatric patients, following the Iowa Model. The 3-year collaborative effort has resulted in a synopsis of the literature; a quick reference sheet based on the latter; infiltration staging guidelines; an infiltration decision algorithm; a table of recommended antidotes; and a standard of care. Outcome data showed improvement in ongoing intravenous site assessment, extent of infiltration and estimated infiltration volume assessment, physician notification of infiltrations, documentation of severity, and compliance with use of the guidelines and use of antidotes. The guideline recently has been revised, and outcomes will continue to be tracked.