Table 1 Concepts in the ACT survey
From: Development and assessment of the Alberta Context Tool
Concept | Definition | Hypothesis | Sample item |
|---|---|---|---|
Leadership 1 | The actions of formal leaders in an organization (unit) to influence change and excellence in practice, items generally reflect emotionally intelligent leadership | H1: Care providers who perceive more positive (emotionally intelligent) unit leadership report higher research use | Calmly handles stressful situations |
Culture 1 | The way that 'we do things' in our organizations and work units, items generally reflect a supportive work culture | H2: Care providers who perceive a more positive unit culture report higher research use | My organization effectively balances best practice and productivity |
Evaluation 1 | The process of using data to assess group/team performance and to achieve outcomes in organizations or units | H3: Care providers who perceive a larger number of unit feedback mechanisms report higher research use | Our team routinely monitors our performance with respect to the action plans |
Social Capital 1 | The stock of active connections among people. These connections are of three types: bonding, bridging, and linking | H4: Care providers who perceive more positive unit social capital activities report higher research use | People in the group share information with others in the group |
Formal Interactions 2 | Formal exchanges that occur between individuals working within an organization (unit) through scheduled activities that can promote the transfer of knowledge | H6: Care providers who perceive a larger number of formal unit interactions report higher research use | How often do these activities occur? -Team meetings |
Informal Interactions 2 | Informal exchanges that occur between individuals working within an organization (unit) that can promote the transfer of knowledge | H5: Care providers who perceive a larger number of informal unit interactions report higher research use | How often do you interact with people in the following roles or positions? - Someone who champions research and its use in practice |
Structural/Electronic Resources 3 | The structural and electronic elements of an organization (unit) that facilitate the ability to assess and use knowledge | H7: Care providers who perceive a larger number of unit structural and electronic resources report higher research use | How often do you use/attend the following? - A Library |
Organizational Slack | The cushion of actual or potential resources which allows an organization (unit) to adapt successfully to internal pressures for adjustments or to external pressures for changes | Â | Â |
   • Human Resources (staffing)1 |  | H8: Care providers who perceive sufficient unit staffing levels report higher research use | Enough staff to deliver quality care |
   • Time 1 |  | H9: Care providers who perceive having sufficient time on their unit report higher research use | Time to do something extra for patients |
   • Space 1 |  | H10: Care providers who perceive having sufficient space on their unit report higher research use | Use of designated space |