TECHNICAL BRIEF
Low-Cost and No-Cost Steps in Research Design to Improve the Quality of Evidence
Number 27
This FOCUS authored by Marcel P. J. M. Dijkers, PhD, offers low-cost and no-cost steps that rehabilitation researchers can take to strengthen the quality of their evidence and, thereby, the likelihood of their work receiving a high evidence grade and being included in systematic reviews.
2010 (August) / 20 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus27
[PDF 
3MB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus27/Focus27.pdf
Facilitating Technology-Based Knowledge Utilization
Number 26
This FOCUS presents a framework for integrating two distinct processes: knowledge translation (KT) and technology transfer (TT). The integration permits stakeholders involved in technology-based research and development activities to identify and coordinate their respective roles, and to optimize the eventual use of research by industry for production purposes.
2010 (May) / 8 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus26
[PDF 3MB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus26/Focus26.pdf
Mixed-Methods Systematic Reviews: Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Findings
Number 25
This FOCUS, is adapted from Dr. Angela Harden's presentation at the "National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) Knowledge Translation Conference," held July 29, 2009, in Washington, DC. Widely known for her methodological work integrating qualitative research into systematic reviews, she is an active contributor to the Cochrane and Campbell Collaborations and has a keen interest in research synthesis and knowledge translation. She has conducted extensive research into the health of young people and the communities in which they live.
2010 (May) / 8 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus25
[PDF 172 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus25/Focus25.pdf
Documenting Disparities in Obesity and Disability
Number 24
This FOCUS, presents NIDRR-funded research highlighting the disparities in obesity experienced by youth and adults with disabilities, potential consequences of those disparities, and suggestions for addressing these disparities. Authors James H. Rimmer, PhD; Edward Wang, PhD; Kiyoshi Yamaki, PhD; and Brienne Davis, MPH conducted the research for the Disability and Rehabilitation Research Project (DRRP) "Reducing Obesity and Obesity-Related Secondary Conditions in Adolescents with Disabilities" (H133A060066), Center on Health Promotion for Persons with Disabilities, University of Illinois at Chicago.
2010 (March) / 16 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus24
[PDF 760 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus24/Focus24.pdf
The Use of CIRRIE's Database of International Rehabilitation Research in Conducting Systematic Reviews
Number 23
This FOCUS, authored by CIRRIE's Marcia E. Daumen and Daniel J. Conley, describes the Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange’s (CIRRIE) bibliographic database of International Rehabilitation Research. The database is useful for conducting systematic reviews. It includes research conducted in most geographic regions of the world as well as citations to articles originally published in languages other than English.
2009 (June) / 8 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus23
[PDF 620 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus23/Focus23.pdf
The Role of Single-Subject Experimental Designs in Evidence-Based Practice Times
Number 22
This FOCUS, written by Ralf W. Schlosser, PhD, describes high quality single subject experimental designs (SSEDs) in terms of establishing empirically supported treatments and implementing evidence-based practice (EBP). The author also compares and contrasts SSEDs to n-of-1 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
2009 (March) / 8 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus22
[PDF 620 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus22/Focus22.pdf
Why Is Knowledge Translation Important?
Grounding the Conversation
Number 21
This FOCUS highlights Michael Gibbons's plenary speech on knowledge translation presented at the KT08: Forum for the Future conference in Banff, Alberta, Canada, held on June 10, 2008. Dr. Gibbons is the coauthor of The New Production of Knowledge and Re-Thinking Science.
2008 (November) / 10 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus21
[PDF 112 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus21/Focus21.pdf
Campbell Collaboration Establishes Disability Subgroup
Number 20
This FOCUS, highlights exciting new developments within the international Campbell Collaboration (C2) establishing a disability subgroup. A previous issue of FOCUS (Technical Brief, No. 16, 2007) provides background information about C2 and its work regarding systematic reviews.
2008 (September) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus20
[PDF 112 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus20/Focus20.pdf
Getting Published and Having an Impact: Turning Rehabilitation Research Results Into Gold
Number 19
This FOCUS, authored by Drs. Marcel Dijkers, Margaret Brown, and Wayne Gordon from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York, suggests strategies that rehabilitation researchers can use to maximize their work—turning "research results into gold." In the disability and rehabilitation research community, it is important for researchers to be cognizant of how published results of research studies can facilitate or limit their use in answering important evidence-based questions.
2008 (February) / 16 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus19
[PDF 183 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus19/Focus19.pdf
Knowledge Translation at the Canadian Institutes of Health Research: A Primer
Number 18
In this FOCUS, Jacqueline Tetroe describes the work of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and efforts to translate knowledge from the research setting into real-world applications for the benefit of Canadians.
2007 (December) / 16 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus18
[PDF 256 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus18/Focus18.pdf
Appraising the Quality of Systematic Reviews
Number 17
This FOCUS, written by Ralf W. Schlosser, PhD, is part two of a three part series on systematic reviews. This issue describes critical considerations for appraising the quality of a systematic review including the protocol, question, sources, scope, selection principles, and data extraction. The author also describes tools for appraising systematic reviews.
2007 (June) / 8 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus17
[PDF 120 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus17/Focus17.pdf
The Campbell Collaboration: Systematic Reviews and Implications for Evidence-Based Practice
Number 16
This FOCUS, written by Herb M. Turner III, PhD and Chad Nye, PhD, highlights the work of the Campbell Collaboration (C2) and the development of systematic reviews of research evidence.
2007 (January) / 6 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus16
[PDF 120 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus16/Focus16.pdf
The Role of Systematic Reviews in Evidence-Based Practice, Research, and Development
Number 15
This FOCUS, written by Ralf W. Schlosser, PhD, is part one of a three part series on the topic of evidence-based technology. This issue provides an overview of systematic reviews in research and development. Systematic reviews aim to synthesize the results of multiple original studies by using strategies that delimit bias. Systematic reviews can be used to inform evidence-based practice, which is increasingly shaping the disability and rehabilitation research field.
2006 (December) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus15
[PDF 112 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus15/Focus15.pdf
Overview of International Literature on Knowledge Translation
Number 14:
This issue of FOCUS summarizes the KT process as described by several international authors. International scholars, particularly from Canada and Europe, have published numerous articles on KT processes and strategies. While the majority of these KT articles are published in medical and health-care journals, there is a growing interest in applying the KT concept more generically (i.e., knowledge to action) and to other disciplines, including disability and rehabilitation research.
2006 (October) / 6 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus14
[PDF 260 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus14/Focus14.pdf
Meet the New NCDDR
Number 13
This issue of FOCUS will describe how the impetus for NCDDR's reorganization relates to NIDRR's new emphasis on knowledge translation. It will also outline several of the services the NCDDR will offer to NIDRR grantees and, in some cases, to interested consumers.
2006 (August) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus13
[PDF 260 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus13/Focus13.pdf
What Consumers and Researchers Say About Research
Number 12
The NCDDR and the Research Utilization Support and Help (RUSH) project at the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory conducted two studies in 2005 with different audiences in order to learn more about their perceptions of research and how best to get information to diverse groups of end users. This issue of FOCUS shares the findings from the two studies and suggests potential implications.
2005 (December) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus12
[PDF 260 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus12/Focus12.pdf
Communities of Practice: A Strategy for Sharing and Building Knowledge
Number 11
This issue of FOCUS discusses the use of Communities of Practice (CoPs) as a knowledge transfer (KT) strategy. CoPs are "groups of people who share a concern, a set of problems, a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an ongoing basis" (Wenger, McDermott, & Snyder, 2002). By building on its members' shared knowledge, a CoP can be useful in developing new ideas and new strategies. The NCDDR's efforts to support a CoP for NIDRR grantees are also described.
2005 (November) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus11
[PDF 260 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus11/Focus11.pdf
What is Knowledge Translation?
Number 10
This issue of FOCUS discusses knowledge translation, a relatively new term that is used to describe a relatively old problem-the underutilization of evidence-based research in systems of care. This article describes relevant KT concepts, KT planning models, and suggests a working definition for KT that is designed to reflect NIDRR's research and development priorities.
2005 (July) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus10
[PDF 183 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus10/Focus10.pdf
What Are the Standards for Quality Research?
Number 9
This issue of FOCUS discusses principles and standards for quality research, the basis for these standards, and strategies for reporting quality research. In the fields of disability and rehabilitation research, there is a healthy debate regarding the specific criteria for quality research, and the specific checklists to be used to standardize reporting. As the debate ensues, there are many ideas emerging in the public domain related to quality research and quality evidence that can be used to help guide the discussion.
2005 (June) / 4 pages
[On-line]. Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus9
[PDF 183 KB] Available: http://www.ncddr.org/kt/products/focus/focus9/Focus9.pdf
Archived: TECHNICAL BRIEF NUMBERS 1-8
are not applicable to NCDDR's current scope of work.
