Glossary and definitions

Glossary

Definitions

Translational Research

Definition: “Is feasible scientific inquiry that tests the implementation of evidence-based interventions at the organizational or individual level, measuring the uptake of implementation. Translational research is complex, context specific, dynamic, and unfolds in the pragmatic “real world” of clinical practice.

Interdisciplinary in nature, translational research requires communication and collaboration between and among researchers and clinicians. Translational research is framed theoretically, and is process and outcomes driven. 

Antecedents to translational research include having scientifically strong evidence available and an organizational infrastructure that supports engaged leaders and clinicians who possess research knowledge and competency. 

Partnerships in translational research often arise out of collaboration between and among researchers and clinicians. Translational research is most successful when strategic priorities determine which practices are researched and implemented. Consequences of translational research include improved organizational and patient outcomes. 

Other consequences include new knowledge development and organizational and individual learning. The result of successful translational research is sustained practice change that benefits patient and closes the research or practice gap”. ^[1]

[1] Wendler, C. et al. (2013) Translational Research: A Concept Analysis. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, 27(3), p. 214-232.

Transdisciplinary Research

Definition: “Knowledge production activities spanning across disciplinary boundaries and meaningfully involving non-academic partners in research design, operation, analysis, publication, and the practice of attended methods. 

Transdisciplinary research is problem-orientated, transcends separate disciplinary sectors, transgresses disciplinary and institutional boundaries and is context specific. It facilitates diverse and mutually accountable interactions between participants and different styles of knowledge. 

In doing so, transdisciplinary research potentially fosters transformative scientific and technological progress through social innovations and represented marginalized interests. Transdisciplinary research practices and evaluations are therefore generative processes of harvesting, capitalizing and leveraging multiple kinds of expertise”.^[2]

[2] 2. O’Donovan C, et al.(2022) Capabilities for transdisciplinary research. Research Evaluation, (1), p. 145-158. doi:10.1093/reseval/r