Table 1 Factors identified as influencing research use: a comparison between the findings of this study and that of two earlier systematic reviews.*
Systematic review 1[9] | Systematic review 2[12] | This study |
|---|---|---|
Interaction (or the lack of interaction) and trust between policy makers and researchers | Interaction between policy makers and researchers Trust in the research and the researcher | An interactive relationship between policy makers and researchers in which the researchers are able to receive the evidence and interpret it for members of the bureaucracy |
The timeliness, relevance and quality of the research | The quality, timing and timeliness of the research; and the perceived relevance of the research | The evidence being regarded as being of good quality and therefore trustworthy Appropriate evidence available at the right time, in this case when a solution to the problem of the high maternal mortality rate was being sought |
The inclusion of effectiveness data | - | - |
The political environment including political (in)stability and community pressure | - | A political environment that is conducive to policy making |
The extent to which research confirmed existing policies | - | - |
Bureaucratic processes including power and budget struggles | Political and bureaucratic conflict | A bureaucracy that is open to change rather than obstructive |
The availability of research summaries with clear recommendations | Publishing findings in a manner that is accessible beyond a scientific audience | - |
- | The importance of management support | - |
- | The skill and attitude of those receiving the research | - |
- | The existence of policy networks | A functioning policy network that includes researchers, policy makers and bureaucrats |
- | - | The evidence being received in the context of a positive attitude towards research utilisation, particularly with regard to evidence from randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews. |