To help researchers and practitioners better understand, plan for, and conduct rigorous dissemination and implementation studies, the tools below are organized by theories, frameworks, and models; measures; strategies; research methods and study designs; and additional resources (i.e., websites and books). Check back for updates as additional tools become available.
Introduction to Implementation Science
Dissemination & Implementation Orientation Webinar
An introduction and orientation to the science of dissemination and implementation (D&I) for those who are new to the field. View the orientation and resources.
TIDIRC Introduction to Dissemination & Implementation Module
Module 1 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on an introduction to dissemination and implementation science.
Related Articles
- Bauer MS, Damschroder L, Hagedorn H, Smith J, Kilbourne AM. An introduction to implementation science for the non-specialist. BMC Psychol. 2015;3(1):32. Published 2015 Sep 16. doi:1186/s40359-015-0089-9.
- Curran GM. Implementation science made too simple: a teaching tool. Implement Sci Commun. 2020;1:27. Published 2020 Feb 25. doi:1186/s43058-020-00001-z.
- Lane-Fall MB, Curran GM, Beidas RS. Scoping implementation science for the beginner: locating yourself on the "subway line" of translational research. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2019;19(1):133. Published 2019 Jun 28. doi:1186/s12874-019-0783-z.
Theories, Frameworks, & Models
Dissemination and Implementation & Models in Health Research and Practice
The Dissemination and Implementation Models in Health Research and Practice website was designed to help researchers and practitioners select the theory, framework, or model that best fit their research question or practice problem, adapt it to the study or practice context, integrate it into the research or practice process, and find existing measurement instruments for its constructs. Explore the Site.
TIDIRC Implementation Theories, Models & Frameworks Module
Module 2 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on implementation science theories, models, and frameworks.
Related Articles
- Chambers DA, Glasgow RE, Stange KC. The dynamic sustainability framework: addressing the paradox of sustainment amid ongoing change. Implement Sci. 2013;8:117. Published 2013 Oct 2. doi:1186/1748-5908-8-117.
- Damschroder LJ, Reardon CM, Widerquist MAO, Lowery J. The updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research based on user feedback. Implement Sci. 2022;17(1):75. Published 2022 Oct 29. doi:1186/s13012-022-01245-0.
- Fort MP, Manson SM, Glasgow RE. Applying an equity lens to assess context and implementation in public health and health services research and practice using the PRISM framework. Front Health Serv. 2023;3:1139788. Published 2023 Apr 13. doi:10.3389/frhs.2023.1139788.
- Glasgow RE, Harden SM, Gaglio B, et al. RE-AIM Planning and Evaluation Framework: Adapting to New Science and Practice With a 20-Year Review. Front Public Health. 2019;7:64. Published 2019 Mar 29. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00064.
- Moullin JC, Dickson KS, Stadnick NA, et al. Ten recommendations for using implementation frameworks in research and practice. Implement Sci Commun. 2020;1:42. Published 2020 Apr 30. doi:1186/s43058-020-00023-7.
- Moullin JC, Dickson KS, Stadnik NA, Rabin B, Aarons GA. Systematic review of the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework. Implement Sci. 2019;14(1):1. doi:10.1186/s13012-018-0842-6.
- Nilsen P. Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implement Sci. 2015;10:53. doi:1186/s13012-015-0242-0.
- Smith JD, Li DH, Rafferty MR. The Implementation Research Logic Model: a method for planning, executing, reporting, and synthesizing implementation projects. Implement Sci. 2020;15(1):84. Published 2020 Sep 25. doi:1186/s13012-020-01041-8.
- Woodward EN, Matthieu MM, Uchendu US, Rogal S, Kirchner JE. The health equity implementation framework: proposal and preliminary study of hepatitis C virus treatment. Implement Sci. 2019;14(1):26. Published 2019 Mar 12. doi:1186/s13012-019-0861-y.
Measures & Outcomes
Measurement & Evaluation Webinars
The Implementation Science Webinars series focused on measurement and evaluation. View the archived webinars.
TIDIRC Measures Module
Module 4 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on implementation science measures.
Related Articles
- Lengnick-Hall R, Gerke DR, Proctor EK, et al. Six practical recommendations for improved implementation outcomes reporting. Implement Sci. 2022;17(1):16. Published 2022 Feb 8. doi:1186/s13012-021-01183-3.
- Mettert K, Lewis C, Dorsey C, Halko H, Weiner B. Measuring implementation outcomes: An updated systematic review of measures' psychometric properties. Implement Res Pract. 2020;1:2633489520936644. Published 2020 Aug 28. doi:10.1177/2633489520936644.
- Additional reviews of implementation measures can be found as part of a collection.
- Proctor E, Silmere H, Raghavan R, et al. Outcomes for implementation research: conceptual distinctions, measurement challenges, and research agenda. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2011;38(2):65-76. doi:10.1007/s10488-010-0319-7.
- Proctor EK, Bunger AC, Lengnick-Hall R, et al. Ten years of implementation outcomes research: a scoping review [published correction appears in Implement Sci. 2023 Sep 8;18(1):39] [published correction appears in Implement Sci. 2023 Oct 25;18(1):53]. Implement Sci. 2023;18(1):31. Published 2023 Jul 25. doi:10.1186/s13012-023-01286-z.
Implementation Strategies
Implementation Strategies Webinar
The Implementation Science Webinars series hosted the presentation “Identifying, Specifying, and Applying Implementation Strategies” by Dr. Byron Powell. View the archived webinar.
TIDIRC Implementation Strategies Module
Module 6 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on implementation strategies.
Related Articles
- Ashcraft LE, Goodrich DE, Hero J, et al. A systematic review of experimentally tested implementation strategies across health and human service settings: evidence from 2010-2022. Implement Sci. 2024;19(1):43. Published 2024 Jun 24. doi:10.1186/s13012-024-01369-5.
- Fernandez ME, Ten Hoor GA, van Lieshout S, et al. Implementation Mapping: Using Intervention Mapping to Develop Implementation Strategies. Front Public Health. 2019;7:158. Published 2019 Jun 18. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00158.
- Kirchner JE, Smith JL, Powell BJ, Waltz TJ, Proctor EK. Getting a clinical innovation into practice: an introduction to implementation strategies. Psychiatry Res. 2020;283:112467. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.042.
- Powell BJ, Waltz TJ, Chinman MJ, et al. A refined compilation of implementation strategies: results from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project. Implement Sci. 2015;10(21). doi:10.1186/s13012-015-0209-1.
- Powell BJ, Fernandez ME, Williams NJ, et al. Enhancing the impact of implementation strategies in healthcare: a research agenda. Front Public Health. 2019;7:3. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00003.
Research Methods & Study Designs
Qualitative Methods in Implementation Science
This paper focuses on the multiple ways in which qualitative methods can be effectively used to answer a range of high priority implementation science questions, and describes resources that are available to support the community. View paper.
Study Design Webinars
The Implementation Science Webinars series focused on various research methods and study designs. View the archived sessions.
TIDIRC Study Designs Module
Module 5 of the TIDIRC OpenAccess materials focuses on study designs in implementation science.
Toolkit
Implementation Science Methods Toolkit: https://impscimethods.org/
Related Articles
- Brown CH, Curran G, Palinkas LA, et al. An overview of research and evaluation designs for dissemination and implementation. Annu Rev Public Health. 2017;38:1-22. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-031816-044215.
- Curran et al. Reflections on 10 years of effectiveness-implementation hybrid studies. (2022). Frontiers in Health Services. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36925811/
- Hamilton AB, Finley EP. Qualitative methods in implementation research: an introduction. Psychiatry Res. 2019;280:112516. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112516.
- Handley MA, Lyles CR, McCulloch C, Cattamanchi A. Selecting and improving quasi-experimental designs in effectiveness and implementation research. Annu Rev Public Health. 2018;39:5-25. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040617-014128.
- Landes SJ, McBain SA, Curran GM. An introduction to effectiveness-implementation hybrid designs. Psychiatry Res. 2019;280:112513. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112513.
- Palinkas LA, Mendon SJ, Hamilton AB. Innovations in mixed methods evaluations. Annu Rev Public Health. 2019;40:423-442. doi:10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044215.
- Pearson N, Naylor PJ, Ashe MC, Fernandez M, Yoong SL, Wolfenden L. Guidance for conducting feasibility and pilot studies for implementation trials. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020;6(1):167. Published 2020 Oct 31. doi:10.1186/s40814-020-00634-w.
- Wolfenden L, Foy R, Presseau J, et al. Designing and undertaking randomised implementation trials: guide for researchers. BMJ. 2021;372:m3721. Published 2021 Jan 18. doi:1136/bmj.m3721.
Additional Resources
Implementation Science Exchange
The Implementation Science Exchange is a free, online source for those interested in resources to help design, acquire funding for, execute, and disseminate implementation science research projects. The exchange will find (or create) resources, tools, websites, guides, toolkits, and sample grant applications to help support researchers in the field of implementation science, particularly those new to research or new to the field itself.
UW Implementation Science Resource Hub
The Implementation Science Resource Hub is a resource of the UW Department of Global Health’s Implementation Science Program to help further the ongoing implementation research and education, providing introduction to the field of implementation science for students and new researchers, curating selections of supporting resources for further study.
Books
- Brownson RC, Colditz GA, Proctor EK, eds. Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2017.
- Chambers DA, Vinson CA, Norton WE, eds. Advancing the Science of Implementation Across the Cancer Continuum. New York, NY: Oxford University Press; 2018.
- Greenhalgh T. How to Implement Evidence-Based Healthcare. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Blackwell; 2019.
- Straus SE, Tetroe J, Graham ID, eds. Knowledge Translation in Health Care: Moving From Evidence to Practice. 2nd ed. London, United Kingdom: BMJ Books; 2013.