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Table 2 Description of included studies

From: Research capacity building frameworks for allied health professionals – a systematic review

Study

Population

Purpose and intervention

Study design

Data collection and analysis

Research capacity building approaches described in each framework

Structural levels

Assumptions

Research capacity building definition

Bamberg, Perlesz, McKenzie & Read, 2010 [40]

Australia:

Large not-for-profit community healthcare organisation

Build and enhance the capacity of a community health service to conduct their own research and evaluation

Qualitative (cooperative inquiry action research design)

Semi-structured interviews, meeting observations, reflective journals

Documented changes in:

- staff requests for assistance

- confidence and knowledge

- policy and procedures

Thematic analysis

1. Dissatisfaction with the status quo

2. Knowledge and skills

3. Available resources

4. Available time

5. Rewards or incentives

6. Participation is expected/encouraged

7. Commitment by those involved

8. Leadership

None specified

Ely’s ‘8 conditions for implementing innovation’ model support the successful implementation of a framework to produce change

None reported

Cooke, Nancarrow, Dyas & Williams, 2008 [29]

UK:

‘Designated research teams’ from primary and community care, funded by a large Research Development Unit, including social workers, pharmacists and podiatrists

Implement and evaluate the ‘designated team approach’ for 6 clinical teams using funding, mentorship and expert support

Qualitative

Evaluated against Cooke (2005)’s framework of 6 principles of research capacity building

Process and outcome measures collected on context, activities, experiences, outputs and impacts of interventions

Narrative summary of results

1. Development of appropriate research skills to apply in practice

2. Development of linkages, partnerships and collaborations

3. Support of research that is ‘close to practice’

4. Appropriate dissemination

5. Appropriate infrastructure

6. Elements of continuity and sustainability

Individual

Team

Organisation

Supra-organisational

Research capacity building initiatives may occur within, and across, structural levels

‘A process of individual and institutional development which leads to higher levels of skills and greater ability to perform useful research’ (Trostle, 1992, p.1321) [3]

Golenko, Pager & Holden, 2012 [33]

Australia:

Large public healthcare organisation

Nine AH senior managers of five hospital and community teams

Develop a thematic model to promote and enhance allied health research capacity at an organisational level

Qualitative

Semi-structured in-depth interviews with senior AH managers.

Conceptual and relational analysis using NVivo

1. Whole of organisational approach and support from senior managers

2. Structures, processes and systems

3. Partnerships and collaborations

4. Dedicated research centres, units and positions

Individual

Team

Organisation

External environment

The organisation is the critical link in creating synergy across the 4 levels of research capacity building

‘A process of individual and institutional development which leads to higher levels of skills and greater ability to perform useful research’ (Trostle, 1992, p.1321) [3]

Holden, Pager, Golenko, Ware & Weare, 2012 [37]

Australia:

Large public healthcare organisation

AHPs working in a mixture of hospital and community settings

Evaluate the impact of a multi-strategy team based research capacity building intervention

Quantitative

Non-randomised matched-pairs trial

Research Capacity and Culture Tool (RCC)

Linear regression analysis using a random effects mixed model

1. Tailored research skills training programs

2. Ongoing mentoring

3. Writing bursaries

4. Financial support

5. Research fellowships

6. Infrastructure support

Individual

Team

Organisation

 

Research capacity building develops individuals and institutions to higher levels of skill and ability to conduct quality research

Hulcombe, Sturgess, Souvlis & Fitzgerald, 2014 [9]

Australia:

Public hospital and health services

Allied health, oral health and scientist practitioners

Develop an organisational research capacity building framework

Descriptive qualitative

Evaluation strategy based on program logic methodology

Literature review, stakeholder consultation

Changes in no. of:

- new researchers

- research proposals

- applications for grant funding

- peer reviewed publications

Qualitative analysis

1. Leadership and governance

2. Supporting researchers

3. Translation of evidence into practice

  

‘A funded, dynamic intervention… to augment ability to carry out research or achieve objectives in the field of research over the long-term, with aspects of social change as an ultimate outcome’ (Condell & Begley, 2007, p.273) [47]

Whitworth, Haining & Stringer, 2012 [41]

UK:

Speech and language therapists (SLT) and academics in healthcare and higher education

Develop a model for building research capacity

Historical descriptive with qualitative evaluation

Literature review

Evaluation of

- funded research activity

- skill development

- change in research culture, increase in research confidence

Qualitative analysis

1. Whole system approach

2. Accommodating diversity

3. Reducing barriers

4. Enabling collaboration

5. Providing feedback and mentoring

6. Facilitating networking

Research conscious

Research participative

Research active

The need to embed, influence and contribute to research is a common driver for all health and social care professional groups

Increased capability to engage in research is fundamental to translation of research into practice and to support excellence in healthcare research