EPN-V2

MAVIT5300 Knowledge Translation – When Research Becomes Practice Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Kunnskapstranslasjon – Når forskning blir praksis
Study programme
Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Biomedicine
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for the older adult
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Rehabilitation and Habilitation
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nursing; Clinical Research and Professional Development
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Health
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy
Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Radiography
Master's Programme in Health Sciences
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Occupational Therapy
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Research-based knowledge is often unavailable and not well-adapted to use in practice. It can therefore take a long time before research is applied 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 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 covers a number of different strategies and interventions with a view to making research easier to use in practice. 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 ‘Sense of Science’.

Required preliminary courses

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

The course is also available for students outside the programme and can be applied to individually. Applicants s must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in health and social care, public health or sports subjects from an accredited university or college. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses.

Learning outcomes

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

Teaching and learning methods

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 and written supervision support the video lectures. Seminars at the university will be a combination of lectures, seminars 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 begins with a practical KT workshop. 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.

Course requirements

None.

Assessment

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.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

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

Grading scale

Pass/Fail.

Examiners

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

Admission requirements

  • The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences.
  • The course is also available for students outside the programme and can be applied to individually. Applicants s must have a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree in health and social care, public health or sports subjects from an accredited university or college. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses.

Overlapping courses

10 ECTS credits overlap with MAERGD4100 Knowledge Translation.