MAVIT5300 Knowledge Translation Course description

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Research-based knowledge is often unavailable and not well-adapted to practice. It can therefore take a long time before research is used in practice. Knowledge translation (KT) is about how knowledge from research can be made more practical via different forms of ‘translation’ and contextualisation. KT entails mutual cooperation between society, the field of practice, research, users and other parties with the common goal of achieving a better basis for decision-making in professional practice and society as a whole. 

The course covers a number of different strategies and interventions with a view to making research easier to use in practice. The purpose of KT is to reduce the gap between what we as a society know through research and what we actually do, known as the know-do gap. The course is organised into six sub-topics:

• Part 1: KT terminology
• Part 2: KT theories
• Part 3: KT strategies 1
• Part 4: KT strategies 2
• Part 5: KT interventions
• Part 6: KT criticism

The course is developed through a cooperation with the KT network organisation ‘Presenter - Making Sense of Science’.

The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:  

Knowledge 

The student 

• can discuss the main features of challenges relating to the knowledge base for decision-making in society and what can prevent research from being applied
• can discuss what knowledge translation is, including definitions, theories, models and methods used in the field
• can describe the differences between the tradition of knowledge translation and knowledge-based practice (KBP), quality improvement and implementation science, with respect to objectives, models and application in the field of practice

Skills 

The student

• can analyse and apply definitions, theories, models and methods within the tradition of knowledge translation in order to bring society into the research, as well as use research in decision-making and innovation processes in society
• can critically evaluate and discuss research-based knowledge, its possibilities, limitations and relevant areas of use
• can make research-based knowledge more accessible for society through research dissemination and communication
• can use research as a source in the development of theories, methods and tools

General competence 

The student 

• can analyse and understand the relationship between research and society
• can plan a knowledge translation project in line with recognised international models for knowledge translation

The course will use varied, student-active work methods and is organised in line with the flipped classroom principle, where teaching sessions at the university and digital supervision support the video lectures. The course includes video lectures, online resources and digital group supervision. Online teaching takes place via OsloMet’s digital learning platform. Seminars at the university will be a combination of lectures and workshops. 

During the course, the student will complete an independent work involving planning a knowledge translation project relevant to their own practice. The work comprises one assignment for each of the six sub-topics. Individual supervision will be given on the assignment work (written feedback on the draft assignment). The work is then edited to form an examination assignment, which then takes the form of a knowledge translation project plan. 

None. 

Individual project examination in the form of an assignment that is developed during the course. Scope: Up to 4,000 words, excluding the list of references. 

Resit examination: If the student fails the assignment, he/she will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Pass/Fail. 

At least 20% of the examination papers will be assessed by an external examiner together with an internal examiner. The remaining papers will be assessed by two internal examiners. The external examiner’s assessment should benefit all students.

10 ECTS credits overlap with MAERGD4100 Knowledge Translation.