There is widespread recognition across the full range of applied research disciplines, including health and social services, about the challenges of integrating scientifically derived research evidence into policy and/or practice decisions. These Bdisconnects” or Bknowledge-practice gaps” between research production and use have spawned a new research field, most commonly known as either Bimplementation science” or Bknowledge translation.” The present paper will review key concepts in this area, with a particular focus on Bintegrated knowledge translation” (IKT)—which focuses on researcher-knowledge user partner-ship—in the area of mental health and prevention of violence against women and children using case examples from completed and ongoing work. A key distinction is made between the practice of KT (disseminating, communicating, etc.), and the science of KT, i.e., research regarding effective KT approaches. We conclude with a discussion of the relevance of IKT for mental health intervention research with children and adolescents.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/n-wathen/9/