Research+Utilization

Proposed Definition
**Definition 4:** Utilization refers to the actual systematic implementation of a scientifically sound, research-based innovation in a health care setting with an accompanying process to access the outcome(s) of the clinical change.

**Why we chose this definition** All 10 definitions below include aspects related to "evidence" and 8 of them included an aspect of "purpose", e.g., change clinical practice. We choose the above definition from the University of Alberta because it contained the "evidence" and "purpose" as well as setting ("health care"). June 16, 2011.

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Discussion ([|Join the wiki to comment])
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 * Current Definitions (n = 10)**

//Differences: Nurses should not confuse EBP [Evidence Based Practice] with research utilization. While research utilization (RU) overlaps with some of the same philosophic threadworks of EBP, EBP goes beyond just the rigorous scientific research steps. * Research Utilization refers to the review and critique of scientific research, and then the application of the findings to clinical practice. * Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) represents a broader concept. When clinicians use the EBP approach, they go beyond the expertise of clinicians and researchers, and consider the patient's preferences and values to guide patient care.//
 * Definition 1, 2:** Research Utilization is:
 * "A process of using findings from conducting research to guide practice" (Titler, Mentes, Rake, Abbott, and Baumler, 1999).
 * "The process by which scientifically produced knowledge is transferred to practice" (Brown, 1999)
 * Source:** Oncology Nursing Society http://onsopcontent.ons.org/toolkits/evidence/Definitions/utilization.shtml
 * Focus:** Nursing

**Definition 3:** Research utilization [is a] specific kind of knowledge utilization whereby the knowledge has a research base to substantiate it. It is a complex process in which knowledge, in the form of research, is transformed from the findings of one or more studies into instrumental, conceptual, or persuasive utilization. **Source:** University of Alberta [|www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/Research_Active.htm] **Focus:** Nursing

** Definition 4: Utilization refers to the actual systematic implementation of a scientifically sound, research-based innovation in a health care setting with an accompanying process to access the outcome(s) of the clinical change.** ** Source: ** http://stti.awards.confex.com/stti_awards/intl2007/27RESEARCHUTILIZATION.pdf ** Focus: ** Nursing


 * Definition 5:** Research utilization can be defined as the use of knowledge substantiated through research in addressing and solving sexual and reproductive health problems.
 * Source:** [|www.who.int/reproductive-health/publications/trip/index.html]
 * Focus:** Sexual and Reproductive Health


 * Definiton 6:** Research utilization is the implementation of research-based knowledge (science) in practice. Research utilization, a subset of knowledge utilization, is a multifaceted concept encompassing different forms of use of research based knowledge (39,40). //Several conceptualizations have been proposed. Larsen (41) classified knowledge utilization as instrumental and conceptual. Rich (42,43) and Weiss (44) also discussed these two kinds of knowledge utilization. Instrumental research utilization is a direct use of research knowledge. It is the concrete application of research in clinical practice; either in making specific decisions about patient care, or as the knowledge guiding specific interventions (39). For instrumental use, research is often translated into a useable form (e.g., clinical practice guidelines or protocols). Conceptual research utilization is the cognitive use of research where the research may be used to change opinion or mind set about a specific practice area, but not necessarily particular actions. This indirect application of research is believed to occur more often in practice than instrumental use, but in a less tangible way (45). Symbolic (or persuasive) research utilization addresses the use of research knowledge as a political tool in order to influence or legitimate policies and decisions (46). Stetler (47) introduced instrumental and conceptual use into the nursing literature. Estabrooks (10) empirically verified instrumental, conceptual and symbolic research use by nurses. In addition, she demonstrated that a fourth form of research utilization – overall – could be conceptualized and measured. Subsequent to the original publication (39,40), her group has been able to replicate this typology several times (48-50). Although this framework appears in the literature, the tool that we develop will not necessarily reflect these conceptualizations of research use.//
 * Source:** University of Alberta [Focus:|www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/ku/belfast_measurement.doc]
 * Focus:** Nursing


 * Definition 7:** Research utilization is the use of research to guide practice, and as a special sub-set of evidence-based practice, is particularly concerned with the use of research evidence, i.e., the findings of scientific studies. Both knowledge utilization and evidence-based practice are broader than research utilization, encompassing the use of forms of evidence other than research evidence alone (Estabrooks, 1998, 1999a).
 * Source:** [|www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/About_Purpose.htm]
 * Focus:** Nursing


 * Definition 8:** Broadly defined, RU is “the use of research findings in any and all aspects of one’s work as a registered nurse” (Estabrooks, 1998, p. 19). //Three types of RU have been identified in the literature: instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic (Johnson, 1998; Landry, Lamari, & Amara, 2001; Rich, 1979, 1991; Stetler, 1985; Weiss, 1979). Instrumental RU is the concrete and noticeable implementation of research findings in practice. Conceptual RU concerns the cognitive and conceptual dimensions of RU where research findings influence a practitioner’s thinking and understanding. Symbolic RU is the use of evidence to change the minds of other people (usually decision makers). More comprehensive definitions of the types of RU are presented in Table 2.TABLE 2: Definitions and Related Examples for the Types of Research Utilization (Type, Definition, Example) Overall research utilization: The use of any kind of research findings (nursing and nonnursing), in any kind of way, in any aspect of your work as a registered nurse. Do not count as research the things you learned in the nursing schools where you did your basic nursing training. Instrumental research utilization: The use of research findings (nursing and nonnursing) in which you directly use the findings in giving patient care or in client interventions. Do not count as research the things you learned in the nursing schools where you did your basic nursing training. [Example:] Giving pain medication regularly 3 to 4 hours for the first 24 hours postoperatively, even though the patient does not ask for it this frequently (this patient has no epidural or patient-controlled analgesia). Conceptual research utilization: The use of research findings (nursing and nonnursing) to change your thinking or your opinions about how to approach certain patient care or client situations. Do not count as research the things you learned in the nursing schools where you did your basic nursing training. [Example:] Your awareness that patients can experience pain even though they are sleeping (because of its potential exhaustive nature) enables you to make more accurate pain assessments. Symbolic research utilization: The use of research findings (nursing and nonnursing) to persuade others, who are usually in decisionmaking positions, to make changes in conditions, policies, or practices relevant to nurses, patients and clients, or the health of individuals or groups. Do not count as research the things you learned in the nursing schools where you did your basic nursing training. [Example:] You use your knowledge of recent research that demonstrates that male infants experience significant pain during circumcision to persuade a physician you work with to use a local anesthetic during the procedure. SOURCE: Estabrooks (1997), Estabrooks (1999a, 1999b).//
 * Source:** Western Journal of Nursing Research http://wjn.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/25/3/322.pdf
 * Focus:** Nursing


 * Definition 9:** A definition of research utilization was taken from an earlier exploratory study ( Rodgers 1994). The utilization of research includes the direct implementation of research findings into practice, the indirect use of research in creating new understanding or being illuminating and the incorporation of methods or tools of research into practice.
 * Source:** Journal of Advanced Nursing [Focus:|www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1365-2648.2000.01416.x/full/]
 * Focus:** Nursing


 * Definition 10:** A process directed toward transfer of specific research-based knowledge into practice through the systematic use of a series of activities.
 * Source:** Logan J, Graham ID. Toward a comprehensive interdisciplinary model of health care research use. //Science Communication//, 1998; 20(2): 227-246.
 * Focus:** Health Care