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TRAction: Toolkit for Research in Action

The David Braley Primary Care Research Collaborative (PCRC) supports Department of Family Medicine faculty to develop their knowledge, skills, and capacity to conduct impactful primary care research and scholarship. To help achieve this goal, we have assembled a suite of resources designed to support faculty through every stage of a research project.

Overview

Using the key steps of the research process as a guide, TRAction brings together practical tools, resources, and examples that can help move a project from an initial research idea through project development, implementation, analysis, dissemination, and knowledge translation. Whether you are new to research or building on previous experience, these resources are intended to support your scholarship journey from idea to impact.

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Research Idea Learn more

Every research project begins with a question or observation. This section provides resources to help identify, develop, and refine research ideas that are relevant, feasible, and meaningful to primary care practice.

Review the Literature Learn more

A literature review helps you understand what is already known about a topic and identify gaps that your research can address. This section includes resources for searching, evaluating, and organizing the literature.

Form and Refine the Research Question Learn more

A well-defined research question is the foundation of a successful research project. This section provides resources to help you develop, refine, and evaluate research questions, including guidance on different question types and frameworks for creating focused, feasible, and meaningful studies.

Plan Your Research Design Learn more

Once you have a research question, the next step is to determine the best approach to answer it. This section provides an overview of research design and methodology, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and applied research approaches, to help you select a design that aligns with your research objectives.

Gather and Analyze Your Research Data Learn more

Careful data collection and analysis are essential to producing high-quality research. This section provides resources and best practices for managing, organizing, collecting, analyzing, and securely maintaining research data throughout the life of a project.

Share Your Research Findings Learn more

Sharing research findings is an essential part of the research process. This section provides guidance on publications, presentations, knowledge translation strategies, and opportunities to disseminate your work.

Other resources to support your research

Harmonized Research Training Framework Learn more

These training requirements apply to faculty, researchers and any staff participating in the conduct of research at McMaster.

Equity and Engagement in Research Learn more

This page brings together resources that support researchers in reflecting on power, inclusion, and responsibility throughout the research lifecycle.

Primary Care Research Journeys Learn more

Examples of primary care research led by Department of Family Medicine faculty members.

DFM faculty members can access full text articles from the McMaster Health Sciences Library using your MacID. To request your MacID, or if you’re having issues, please email Faculty Relations at fmappts@mcmaster.ca.

Internal resources for DFM faculty and staff

Faculty Research Essentials Learn more

This guide is your starting point for building a meaningful and sustainable research career in family medicine.

Grant Submission Hub Learn more

This page provides faculty and staff with clear guidance, internal timelines, and resources for submitting external research grants.

KT & Communications Toolkit Learn more

This page provides internal KT and communications resources including approved templates, logos, brand assets, and practical tools to support research dissemination.

HiREB Guide Learn more

This page provides resources to help with the process of applying for ethics at the Hamilton Integration Research Ethics Board.

Research Idea

The first step in your research journey is to identify an area of interest to study. Often this comes from clinical practice or teaching encounters. The resources below provide guidance to identify and assess your research idea.

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EDI-IR considerations Visit the Equity and Engagement in Research page for more details

Embedding principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) and Indigenous Reconciliation (IR) at the earliest stages of idea development strengthens both the research process and outcomes. By intentionally considering these principles from the start, researchers can reduce systemic bias, improve research integrity, and ensure that their work is meaningful and relevant to diverse communities. When shaping a research idea, it is essential to reflect on how your work acknowledges and addresses the systemic barriers and inequities experienced by groups who are historically underserved, pushed to the margins or excluded. Building research practices that support EDI-IR is an ongoing commitment. It requires continuous learning and self‑reflection.

Recommended Resources

Journal article

Good research ideas for clinicians

Clinician involvement is key for the synthesis of clinically relevant studies and results that guide patient care. This article provides suggestions to assist clinicians in identifying the types of clinical questions that are most likely to result in the successful completion of research projects and that are relevant to their practice areas.

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Journal article

Getting started in primary care research: choosing among six practical research approaches

This article’s purpose is to assist emerging researchers in identifying a topic of interest, to try the ‘fit’ of feasible research approaches and commit to a research approach.

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Journal article

Getting started in research, redefined: five questions for clinically focused physicians in family medicine

This article offers a practical and accessible framework for family physicians, especially those not based in academic settings, to engage in research. This approach helps clinicians begin research through everyday observations using a 5-step, question-oriented approach (observe, ask, reflect, explore, define).

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Journal article

The well-built clinical question: A key to evidence-based decisions

This article addresses questions like: How do clinical questions arise? How can they be recognized and formulated as they occur?

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Journal article

The 5 R’s: An Emerging Bold Standard for Conducting Relevant Research in a Changing World

The article proposes a new research standard—the 5 R’s (Relevance, Rapidity, Rigor, Resources, and Replicability)—to make health care research more timely, applicable, and impactful in real-world settings.

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Resource

Health Professions Education Research Primer

An introductory guide designed to help learners and educators understand and conduct health professions education research, from developing research questions and selecting methodologies to analyzing findings and publishing results.

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Resource

Moving your Research from Idea to Action: A hands-on exercise to map out a pilot study

September 9, 2020. Presenters: Michelle Howard and Dee Mangin.

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Review the Literature

Once you have narrowed down your area of interest and have identified keywords that describe the issue, you need to consult the relevant literature. This section provides guidance on conducting a review of the literature on your selected research topics, including an overview of different types of reviews, methods, and how to choose the method that works best for your topic.

Using your MACID, you have access to the McMaster Health Science Library. Use your keywords to search the literature to see if any studies related to your issue have already been published. This process of discovery serves several purposes: it informs you about what is already known about the topic, how it has been investigated, whether an answer is available that can be applied immediately and identifies any gaps in the literature.

Generating a review of the literature for your research proposal

The purpose of a traditional literature review is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of knowledge on a given topic. It helps identify gaps in existing research, provides context for your own study, and familiarizes you with key scholarly contributions in the field. Typically initiated during the early stages of research idea development, the literature review is an ongoing process that continues throughout the research journey. It informs the formulation of the research question, guides methodological choices and analysis, supports the interpretation of findings, and contributes to the translation of knowledge. The process begins with a broad review of the literature to explore existing knowledge and identify areas that require further investigation. This foundational review helps shape a focused research question. Once the question is established, the review becomes more targeted, concentrating on specific aspects of the literature that directly relate to the study’s objectives.

The process of reviewing the literature

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Search for relevant literature

Literature Reviews & Synthesis

Searching The Literature for Research

January 25, 2022. Presenter: Jo-Anna Petropoulos, MUMC Site Librarian

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Resource

Searching the Literature: The Basics

McMaster Health Sciences Library

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Select and organize the literature

Resource

Covidence

McMaster Health Sciences Library

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EndNote

McMaster Health Sciences Library

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Write the literature review

Resource

How to Write a Literature Review

Concordia University

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EDI-IR Considerations Visit the Equity and Engagement in Research page for more details

Use diverse key words to gain broader knowledge of who is impacted by the research or who contributes to the research, but might not be included.

Questions to consider: Are certain diversity factors and/or intersections known to affect the phenomenon of interest? What are the relevant knowledge gaps? Have previous studies failed to incorporate relevant diversity factors or omitted investigating their intersections adequately?

Critically appraising the literature

Critical appraisal is a crucial process that enables researchers, clinicians, and students to assess the validity, relevance, and reliability of published studies. This process involves systematically examining research articles to assess their methodological rigour, the credibility of their findings, and their applicability to specific contexts or populations. By engaging in critical appraisal, one can distinguish high-quality evidence from studies with potential biases or limitations, thereby fostering informed decision-making and advancing knowledge within a discipline. It also encourages a reflective and analytical mindset, promoting deeper understanding and responsible use of scientific evidence.

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Literature Reviews & Synthesis

Crtitical Appraisal

March 27, 2017. Presenter: Jennifer Lawson, Business Analyst

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Journal Article

Appraising qualitative research for evidence syntheses: A compendium of quality appraisal tools

Majid, U. & Vanstone, M. (2018). Appraising qualitative research for evidence syntheses: a compendium of quality appraisal tools. Qualitative health research,28(13), 2115-2131.*

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Formal critical appraisal checklists are also available and provide structured frameworks for evaluating the quality and trustworthiness of research studies. These tools guide users through key aspects of study design, methodology, results, and relevance, helping ensure that conclusions drawn from the literature are based on sound evidence and rigorous analysis.

Checklists

CASP Checklists

Public Health Resource Unit, NHS, England. CASP Checklists are a set of eight critical appraisal tools designed to be used when reading research. They are designed for use with Systematic Reviews, Randomized Controlled Trials, Cohort Studies, Case-Control Studies, Economic Evaluations, Diagnostic Studies, Qualitative studies, and Clinical Prediction Rule.

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Literature reviews as a research method

Literature reviews can be used in a structured and comprehensive way to gather, evaluate, and integrate findings from multiple studies to answer a specific research question or inform practice. When conducted for evidence synthesis, it uses structured methods to critically appraise and combine findings from multiple studies, ensuring transparency and reliability. In contrast, narrative reviews offer a more flexible, descriptive approach, highlighting themes and expert perspectives. Together, these methods provide both analytical rigour and contextual depth to inform research, practice, and policy.

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Deciding on the type of review

Resource

What Review is Right for You?

This tool is designed to provide guidance and supporting material to reviewers on methods for the conduct and reporting of literature review.

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Journal article

Meeting the review family: Exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements

Sutton, A., Clowes, M., Preston, L., & Booth, A. (2019). Meeting the review family: exploring review types and associated information retrieval requirements. Health Information & Libraries Journal,36(3), 202-222.*

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Journal article

Conducting a literature review in health research: Basics of the approach, typology and methodology

Ahmed, S., Vaska, M., & Turin, T. C. (2016).Conducting a literature review in health research: basics of the approach, typology and methodology. J Natl Heart Found Bangladesh, 5, 44-51.

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Common types of literature reviews

Literature reviews vary in scope and methodology depending on the purpose of the inquiry. Each type serves a distinct role in evidence synthesis, contributing to informed scholarship and practice.

Systematic reviews Learn more

Systematic reviews follow a rigorous, transparent process to answer specific research questions using predefined criteria.

Narrative reviews Learn more

Narrative reviews provide a broader, interpretive overview of a topic, often highlighting themes and expert insights.

Scoping reviews Learn more

Scoping reviews provide a structured approach to mapping the breadth, depth, and characteristics of research in emerging or complex areas.

Rapid reviews Learn more

Rapid reviews streamline the process for timely decision-making.

Additional tools

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Find the Full Text

McMaster Health Sciences Library

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Resource

Tools for effective database searching

Health Sciences Library

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Video

How I read a paper!

Sketchy EBM (YouTube)

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Form and Refine the Research Question

A well-developed research question is the foundation of a successful study because it shapes the entire study structure. For example, a strong research question leads to appropriate strategies for participant enrolment, data collection, and analysis. Therefore, the research question guides the entire research process, from design to analysis.

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EDI-IR Considerations Visit the Equity and Engagement in Research page for more details

Developing a strong research question requires considering who may benefit from the research, who may be excluded, and whether the question reflects the experiences and needs of diverse populations. When refining your research question, consider whether the populations most affected by the issue are meaningfully represented; whether any socio-demographic factors are important to understanding the phenomenon being studied; and how the research could contribute to identifying, reducing, or preventing inequities. Researchers should also strive to use inclusive, respectful language and avoid assumptions, stereotypes, or stigmatizing terminology that may overlook strengths, resilience, and the broader structural factors influencing health and social outcomes.

The Research Question

The research question guides the direction of your study and ensures that your study is focused, relevant, and capable of producing meaningful results. There are several ways to develop and frame the research question. Many of these approaches are based on easy-to-remember acronyms, with each letter representing a component of a well-structured research question. These components should come together to form your research question as a single, clear sentence.

Criteria to consider when developing your research question

The FINER criteria are used to define the attributes of a strong research question, including its practicality. FINER stands for Feasibility Interesting Novel Ethical Relevant.

Framing research questions for quantitative research

The PICO format specifies four components to a well-structured research question: Patient/Population/Problem, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. It has also been expanded to include a fifth component, Timeframe (e.g., PICOT), which specifies the period over which outcomes will be assessed. It is commonly used to frame research questions for intervention-based comparative studies.

Framing research questions for qualitative research

There are several acronyms used to guide the development of well-structured qualitative research questions. PS, PiCo, and SPIDER are commonly recommended for constructing questions that support literature searches of existing qualitative evidence. In contrast, the EPPiC framework—developed by McMaster University—helps researchers formulate clear and focused research questions for original qualitative studies. The acronyms stand for the following:

PS: Population/Problem, and Situation
PiCo: Population, Phenomena of Interest, and Context
SPIDER: Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type
EPPiC: Emphasis, Purpose, Phenomenon of Interest, and Context

For more information, review the following resources:

Journal article

Posing the research question: Not so simple

Thabane, L., Thomas, T., Ye, C., & Paul, J. (2009). Posing the research question: not so simple. Canadian Journal of Anesthesia/Journal canadien d’anesthésie, 56(1), 71-79.

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Journal article

Back to the basics: Guidance for formulating good research questions

Covvey, J. R., McClendon, C., & Gionfriddo, M. R. (2024). Back to the basics: Guidance for formulating good research questions. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 20(1), 66–69.

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Journal article

Formulation of Research Question – Stepwise Approach

Ratan SK, Anand T, Ratan J. Formulation of Research Question – Stepwise Approach. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg. 2019 Jan-Mar;24(1):15-20.

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Journal article

A Practical Guide to Writing Quantitative and Qualitative Research Questions and Hypotheses in Scholarly Articles

Barroga E, Matanguihan GJ. A Practical Guide to Writing Quantitative and Qualitative Research Questions and Hypotheses in Scholarly Articles. J Korean Med Sci. 2022 Apr 25;37(16):e121

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Resource

Forming Questions

McMaster Health Sciences Library

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Video

Formulating Research Questions

McMaster Program for Faculty Development

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Resource

Formulating Research questions

Fraser Health Research Toolkit

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Plan your Research Design

Research design is a plan to answer your research question. Research methodology is the specific procedures or techniques used to identify/collect, select, process, and analyze information about a topic. Research methods are strategies used to implement the research design.

This section provides an overview of the several different types of research designs categorized into three main types: quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods.

Choosing the appropriate research design

Research design is the plan for how you will conduct your entire research project. The research design gives attention to the research topic, purpose and scope, and specifies the type of study best suited to answer your research question. It also incorporates the relevant data collection and analysis procedures.

Journal article

Considerations for choosing a research design

Patricia McInerney, Anushka Ajith and Deidre Pretorius et al. Considerations for choosing a research design. WJCM. 2024. Vol. 6(3):171-174.

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EDI-IR Considerations Visit the Equity and Engagement in Research page for more details

When selecting a research design, consider how it will support the meaningful inclusion of diverse populations and generate findings that are relevant to those most affected by the research question. Reflect on whether the design, sampling strategy, recruitment methods, data collection procedures, or analysis plan may create barriers to participation or overlook important differences in experiences and outcomes. Engage patients, community members, or other relevant partners early in the research process to help ensure the study is responsive to community priorities, culturally appropriate, and inclusive.

When conducting research involving First Nations communities, ensure that research practices align with the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®), respecting Indigenous data sovereignty and supporting meaningful partnership and community leadership throughout the research process.

Ensure adequate resources are allocated from the outset to support meaningful EDI-IR practices, including community engagement, accessibility, inclusive recruitment, and participation.

Designing relevant research Visit the Share your Research Findings page for more information on integrated knowledge translation

Research is most relevant when it focuses on real-world problems by generating evidence that informs practice, policy or interventions. Drawing on qualitative, quantitative, and mixed‑method approaches, it is designed to meet practical research objectives within specific contexts. This goal‑oriented form of inquiry prioritizes actionable insights, enabling researchers to translate theory into practice. By doing so, relevant research supports informed decision‑making, policy development, and meaningful improvements in professional and organizational practice. Often in primary care, our research impacts and serves a specific community/group of people and there are other considerations that we need to adhere to.

Types of research designs

In primary care research, several research designs are commonly used to address diverse clinical and community health questions. These designs can be broadly categorized into quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches.

Summary

Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods Approaches

From Creswell, J. W. (2003). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods Approaches (2nd Ed.). Chapter one: A Framework for Design, pp. 3-26.

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Journal article

Getting started in primary care research: choosing among six practical research approaches

This article’s purpose is to assist emerging researchers in identifying a topic of interest, to try the ‘fit’ of feasible research approaches and commit to a research approach.

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Journal article

Evidence for health decision making—beyond randomized, controlled trials

Frieden, T. R. (2017). Evidence for health decision making—beyond randomized, controlled trials. New England Journal of Medicine, 377(5), 465-475.

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Research design overview

Quantitative research design Learn more

Quantitative research focuses on measuring variables and analyzing numerical data to identify patterns, relationships or causal effects.

Qualitative research design Learn more

Qualitative research explores experiences and perspectives through non-numerical data.

Mixed methods research design Learn more

Mixed methods research combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a research problem.

Other types of scholarship

These research designs can be used for other scholarly activities beyond research. For example, implementation science in primary care focuses on promoting the effective use and adoption of evidence‑based practices in everyday primary care settings by addressing barriers to adoption, implementation, and sustainability, to improve care quality and outcomes.

Design & Methods

QI In Primary Care

November 15, 2022. Presenter: Dale Guenter, Professor and Kat Cottrell, PGY3 Research & Scholarship

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Design & Methods

Implementation Science in Primary Care

June 18, 2024. Presenters: Jennifer Salerno, Rebecca Clark, Jessica Gaber (DFM research staff) and the VIP Research Lab

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Design & Methods

Implementation Science: Examples From DFM

April 18, 2023. Presenters: Dee Mangin, Jennifer Salerno, Dawn Elston, Henry Siu (DFM faculty and staff)

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Design & Methods

Program Evaluation

April 16, 2024. Rachel Harris, Program Evaluation Coordinator, City of Hamilton

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Resource

Guiding Questions to Determine Whether Your Research Requires Ethics Approval

Toronto Metropolitan University

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Gather and Analyze your Research Data

This section provides best practices for active organization, handling and maintenance of the data created throughout the research process. Data lifecycle goes from planning, collection, processing, data analysis and secure deletion.

Data management

Before collecting any data, it’s critical to establish a Data Management strategy. Data management refers to the process of collecting, storing, organizing, and maintaining research data throughout a project’s lifecycle. It ensures that data is: accurate, consistent, secure, accessible and preserved for future use or sharing. In research, good data management practices help maintain integrity, reproducibility, and compliance with institutional and funding requirements.

A Data Management Plan is a formal document that outlines how data will be handled during and after a research project. It typically includes information on the types of data you will collect (e.g., surveys, interviews, lab results), file formats and organization, storage and backup procedures, access and sharing policies, and ethical and legal considerations (privacy, consent, confidentiality). Many funding agencies (e.g., CIHR, NIH) require a DMP as part of grant applications to ensure transparency and sustainability.

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Standard Operating Procedure

DFM Research Data Management SOP

June 17, 2027.

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Template

DFM Data Management Plan

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Data Management

Data Management Requirements for Tri-Agency Grants

January 17, 2023. Presenter: Rebecca Clark, Research Coordinator

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Data Management

Data Management Planning

December 1, 2020. Presenters: Isaac Pratt and Jay Brodeur, McMaster University Library

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Examples

DMP Exemplars

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Data Sources & Collection

Database Development

January 22, 2019. Presenters: Steve Dragos and Larkin Lamarche (DFM research staff)

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Designing research instruments for data collection

Research instruments are the tools used to collect data systematically and reliably. These can include surveys, questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists, and standardized tests. Well-designed instruments ensure that the data you gather is valid, reliable, and aligned with your research objectives.

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Data Sources & Collection

Validating Tools

April 23, 2019. Presenters: Matt Kwan and Jeff Graham (INCH research group)

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Presentation

Designing and Administering Surveys

Michelle Howard, Associate Professor

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DFM Resource

Developing, Piloting, and Conducting Interviews and Focus Groups

July 24, 2026.

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DFM Resource

Piloting Surveys

October 15, 2021.

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Journal Article

Systematic methodological review: Developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide

Journal article:  Kallio, H., Pietilä, A. M., Johnson, M., & Kangasniemi, M. (2016).  Systematic methodological review: developing a framework for a qualitative semi‐structured interview guide. Journal of advanced nursing, 72(12), 2954-2965.*

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Journal Article

Developing questionnaires for educational research: AMEE Guide No. 87

Artino Jr, A. R., La Rochelle, J. S., Dezee, K. J., & Gehlbach, H. (2014). Developing questionnaires for educational research: AMEE Guide No. 87. Medical teacher, 36(6), 463-474.

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Journal Article

You can’t fix by analysis what you’ve spoiled by design: Developing survey instruments and collecting validity evidence

Journal article: Rickards, G., Magee, C., & Artino Jr, A. R. (2012). You can’t fix by analysis what you’ve spoiled by design: developing survey instruments and collecting validity evidence. Journal of graduate medical education, 4(4), 407-410.

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EDI-IR Considerations Visit the Equity and Engagement in Research page for more details

Use data collection methods and instruments that are accessible, culturally appropriate, and validated for the populations involved. Where appropriate, collect and analyze data related to factors such as sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, language, and geography to better understand differences in experiences and outcomes. Consider sex and gender not only as demographic characteristics but also as factors that may influence findings.

Implement recruitment and retention strategies that support the inclusion of underrepresented groups and diverse lived experiences. When appropriate and feasible, examine findings across relevant population groups to identify potential inequities or disparities. Avoid overgeneralizing results and clearly acknowledge limitations related to representation and data availability.

When working with First Nations communities, ensure data collection, management, analysis, and reporting align with the principles of Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession (OCAP®) and respect Indigenous data sovereignty.

Data collection

Data collection in primary care involves gathering clinical, administrative, and patient-reported data in ways that are feasible within routine practice.

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Gathering data directly from the participant

Data Sources & Collection

REDCap Part I

October 22, 2019. Presenters: Steve Dragos, Ric Angeles and Larkin Lamarche (DFM research staff)

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Data Sources & Collection

REDCap Part 2

November 26, 2019. Presenters: Steve Dragos, Ric Angeles and Larkin Lamarche (DFM research staff)

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Community Engagement

Sensitive Topics in Interviews

December 19, 2017. Presenters: Laura Cleghorn, Jessica Gaber (DFM research staff)

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Journal Article

Twelve tips for conducting qualitative research interviews

McGrath, C., Palmgren, P. J., & Liljedahl, M. (2019). Twelve tips for conducting qualitative research interviews. Medical teacher, 41(9), 1002-1006.

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Presentation

Interviews and Focus Groups

May 17, 2018. Jessica Jurgutis, Interviews and Focus Groups.

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Research with medical chart data: Retrospective chart reviews

Retrospective chart reviews involve the systematic examination of data originally collected for clinical care in medical records to answer specific research questions. It requires careful attention to data quality, privacy, and ethical considerations.

Design & Methods

Retrospective Chart Reviews

October 26, 2021. Presenters: Michelle Howard, Associate Professor and Jeff Templeton, Research Coordinator

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Journal article

The retrospective chart review: Important methodological considerations

Matt, V., & Matthew, H. (2013). The retrospective chart review: important methodological considerations. Journal of educational evaluation for health professions, 10.

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Data Sources & Collection

Using Electronic Medical Record data for primary care research

January 16, 2024. Jen Lawson, Business Analyst and Shuaib Hafid, Statistical Analyst

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Tutorial

McMaster Chart Review Research Ethics Tutorial

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Research with health administrative data

Research with health administrative data involves the use of routinely collected information generated through healthcare system operations, such as physician billings, prescription claims, and registries. These data enable researchers to examine health service use, population health trends, care quality, and outcomes across large groups and over time. Because administrative data reflect real‑world healthcare delivery, this approach is particularly valuable for evaluating system‑level interventions, informing policy, and identifying disparities.

Data Sources & Collection

Administrative Data for Research

March 23, 2021. Presenters: Michelle Howard, Associate Professor and Shuaib Hafid, Statistical Analyst

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Resource

Navigation Guide to Primary Care Data Sources

This guide introduces Canadian data sources for secondary analyses to answer research questions related to primary care,

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Data collection at the McMaster Family Health Team

DFM Resource

MFHT Research Request

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Data analysis

Research data analysis is the process of systematically examining, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data to uncover meaningful patterns, relationships, and insights. It transforms raw information into evidence or new knowledge that can inform clinical practice, policy decisions, and equity-driven interventions.

In clinical research, data analysis helps answer critical questions about patient outcomes, treatment efficacy, and healthcare delivery. Whether you’re working with quantitative data from surveys and electronic health records or qualitative data from interviews and focus groups, the goal is the same: to make sense of complexity and generate actionable knowledge to improve patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

For mixed methods research, analysis becomes even more dynamic. It involves integrating statistical rigour with narrative depth, i.e. quantitative findings might reveal trends, while qualitative insights explain the “why” behind those trends. This approach is compelling in community-based research, where understanding lived experiences is just as vital as measuring disparities.

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Quantitative data analysis Learn more

Quantitative critical questions may focus on the prevalence or patterns of a health condition or clinical practice (descriptive analysis), or on relationships between factors, such as the impact of a new care model on outcomes (inferential analysis).

Qualitative data analysis Learn more

Qualitative critical questions explore the perspectives and experiences of patients, providers, or communities.

Share your Research Findings

Knowledge translation (KT) is an ongoing process that includes planning, working with knowledge users, developing clear messages, and sharing findings through appropriate academic, professional, and public channels. Knowledge translation begins with your research design (referred to as integrated KT) and continues through to the dissemination of results and evaluation of impact. Whether you are preparing a grant, working with partners, developing research outputs, or deciding how best to share completed findings, this page is designed to support you at different stages of the research process.

Knowledge Translation

Knowledge translation (KT) is an active process that includes the synthesis, dissemination, exchange and implementation of knowledge. KT aims to bridge the gap between knowledge producers and knowledge users with the goal of improving health, providing more effective health services, and strengthening the healthcare system. KT is not a single activity that happens at the end of a project. Instead, it can occur at multiple points across the research lifecycle, from shaping research questions to sharing findings and evaluating their impact.

Integrated and end‑of‑grant knowledge translation

KT can take different forms depending on the nature and goals of a project. Both approaches are valuable and often complementary. Many projects include a combination of integrated and end‑of‑grant KT activities.

  • End-of-grant KT refers to activities that take place once study findings are available, including journal publications, conference presentations, infographics, research briefs, public-facing commentaries or media pieces.
  • Integrated KT involves collaboration with knowledge users throughout the research process. Knowledge users may include clinicians, patients, caregivers, policymakers, community partners, and others who may use the research. IKT activities may include co-identifying priorities, co-developing research questions, co-interpreting findings, co-creating outputs, ongoing communication during and after the project.

Planning knowledge translation activities Get a KT Planning Template

Effective knowledge translation is most successful when it is planned early and aligned with the goals and context of a research project. Thoughtful planning helps ensure that KT activities are feasible, relevant, and responsive to the needs of intended audiences. When planning KT activities, researchers are encouraged to consider:

  • Goals: What change do you hope to support with your research?
  • Audiences: Who might use, influence, or benefit from your findings?
  • Strategies: Which KT approaches or outputs are best suited to these audiences and goals?
  • Timing: When should KT activities take place across the project lifecycle?
  • Feasibility: What resources, skills, relationships, or supports are needed?

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EDI-IR Considerations Visit the Equity and Engagement in Research page for more details

Consider who will have access to your findings, who may benefit from them, and whether there are barriers that could limit their reach or impact. Whenever possible, use dissemination strategies that make research findings accessible to diverse audiences, including patients, community members, policy-makers, and organizations beyond academic settings.

Use inclusive, respectful, and strengths-based language when reporting findings, and avoid reinforcing stereotypes, deficit-based narratives, or stigmatizing descriptions of individuals or communities. When presenting results related to diverse populations, provide appropriate context regarding the social, structural, and historical factors that may influence outcomes.

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The following resources introduce core KT concepts and provide practical guidance for planning KT activities, including both integrated and end‑of‑grant approaches:

Knowledge Translation

Knowledge Translation Planning

April 15, 2025. Presenters: Advina Kamaric, KT Specialist and Casey Irvin, KT Manager

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Knowledge Translation

Knowledge Translation Part 1

May 26, 2020. Presenters: Casey Irvin and Erin Beaulieu, KT Specialists

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Knowledge Translation

Knowledge Translation Part 2

June 23, 2020. Presenters: Casey Irvin and Erin Beaulieu, KT Specialists

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Knowledge Translation

Integrated KT With Health System Partner

December 12, 2023. Presenter: Melissa Pirrie, Research Associate

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Resource

Guide to Knowledge Translation Planning at CIHR: Integrated and End-of-Grant Approaches

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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Resource

Guide to Researcher and Knowledge-User Collaboration in Health Research

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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Resource

SickKids KT Planning Template

The Hospital for Sick Children

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Resource

Knowledge Translation Learning Modules

The Hospital for Sick Children

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Theories, models and frameworks

Theories, models, and frameworks can guide KT planning, implementation, and evaluation. They help clarify assumptions, identify potential barriers, and support the design of KT strategies. One commonly used framework in health research is the Knowledge‑to‑Action (K2A) framework, which provides a practical structure for moving research evidence into practice by linking knowledge creation with action and implementation.

Resource

How to Choose a KT Theory, Model or Framework

Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba

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Knowledge Translation

Knowledge to Action Cycle: In Action

February 28, 2022. Claire Bodkin, Erin Beaulieu, Fiona Kouyoumdjian, Marina Sadik

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Journal article

Defining Knowledge Translation

Straus, S. E., Tetroe, J., & Graham, I. (2009). Defining knowledge translation. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 181(3–4), 165–168.

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Identifying and shaping key messages

Clear, focused key messages help ensure research findings are understood and used. This section provides guidance on distilling complex findings into concise, meaningful messages and applying plain‑language principles across different types of research outputs.

Presentation

And, But, and Therefore: Key Message Development

March 24, 2021. Meerab Majeed.

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Journal article

Joining a conversation: The problem/gap/hook heuristic

Lingard, L. Joining a conversation: the problem/gap/hook heuristic. Perspect Med Educ 4, 252–253 (2015).

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Resource

Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts

Nielsen Norman Group

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Plain Language Writing Checklist

The Hospital for Sick Children

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Plain Language Thesaurus

ICES

Preparing and sharing research outputs

Academic publishing Learn more

Support for preparing, and publishing research in peer‑reviewed journals, including writing, reporting guidelines, open access, and journal selection.

Sharing research beyond academia Learn more

Guidance on sharing research with non‑academic audiences, including public‑facing publishing, media, digital platforms, and research repositories.

Designing effective visual research outputs

Visual research outputs such as posters, infographics, and slide decks can support understanding and uptake of research findings. This section includes resources to support the design of clear, engaging visual materials for academic and non‑academic contexts. DFM faculty and staff may refer to the KT & Communications Toolkit on the DFM-Research SharePoint for access to templates and design support.

DFM Resource

How to Create a Better Poster

July 2021

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Knowledge Translation

Presenting Data Visually

September 26, 2017. Presenter: Casey Irvin, KT Specialist

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Knowledge Translation

Data visualization

September 20, 2022. Presenter: Subhanya Sivajothy, Data Analysis and Visualization Librarian

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Knowledge Translation

Infographic Design

April 26, 2022. Presenters: Shania Bhopa, Meerab Majid, KT students

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DFM Resource

Infographic Planning Worksheet

June 23, 2026.

Resource

Strategies for Clear and Engaging Slides

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

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Evaluating knowledge translation

Evaluating knowledge translation activities can help demonstrate the reach, influence, and use of research, support reporting requirements, and inform future dissemination efforts.

Resource

Knowledge Translation Evaluation Planning Guide

Alberta Health Services

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Resource

How to Measure the Impact of KT

JSI Research & Training Institute

Researcher profiles and research impact

Researcher profiles and discovery platforms support attribution of scholarly work, improve the visibility of research outputs, and promote collaboration. These tools can be used across research activities, not only academic publishing.

Resource

Researcher’s Toolkit: Write & Publish

McMaster Health Sciences Library

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McMaster Experts

A research discovery platform that presents McMaster faculty research activities, including affiliations, areas of expertise, research interests, and research outputs. McMaster Experts also maps relationships between researchers to highlight existing collaborations and support future connections.

Equity and Engagement in Research

Equity and meaningful engagement are foundational to ethical, impactful, and high‑quality research. How research questions are shaped, whose knowledge is valued, who participates, and who benefits all influence the relevance of research. This page brings together resources that support researchers in reflecting on power, inclusion, and responsibility throughout the research lifecycle.

These resources explore key approaches such as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI); community‑based and participatory research; and decolonizing research practices. Together, these perspectives emphasize collaboration, reciprocity, and respect for lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community priorities. They challenge traditional research norms that have excluded or marginalized certain voices, and promote practices that are accountable, inclusive, and responsive.

Whether you are developing a research idea, building partnerships, designing methods, or translating findings into action, these resources are meant to support ongoing learning and critical self‑reflection. Equity and engagement are not checkboxes – they are continuous commitments that strengthen research and its real‑world impact.

Information Box Group

Resource

Equity-Minded Guide: Research

FHS McMaster University

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Resource

Ethics in Research: A Science Lifecycle Approach  

Canadian Institutes of Health Research

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Presentation

Honouring our social obligations: Incorporating social accountability & responsibility throughout the research process

October 25, 2021. Presenters: Neha Arora, Janelle Panday, Tejal Patel (DFM Faculty and Staff)

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Decolonizing research

Decolonizing research is a process of conducting research with Indigenous communities that places Indigenous voices and epistemologies in the center of the research process. There is no fixed path for decolonizing research methodologies; publications in the section provide a broad framework for decolonizing methodologies and Indigenous research paradigms.

Indigenous Reconciliation

Indigenous Ways of Knowing

October 20, 2020. Presenter: Amy Montour, Indigenous Physician

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Journal Article

Decolonizing research paradigms in the context of settler colonialism: An unsettling, mutual, and collaborative effort

Held, M. B. (2019). Decolonizing research paradigms in the context of settler colonialism: An unsettling, mutual, and collaborative effort. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18, 1609406918821574.

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Journal Article

Thinking and researching relationally: Enacting decolonizing methodologies with an Indigenous early childhood program in Canada

Gerlach, A. (2018). Thinking and researching relationally: Enacting decolonizing methodologies with an indigenous early childhood program in Canada. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 17(1), 1609406918776075.

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Book

Decolonizing methodologies: Research and Indigenous peoples

Smith, L. T. (2021)

For a copy of this book contact us

Presentation

Research involving Indigenous Communities

Renee Corbiere

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Resource

Want to reach out to an Indigenous scholar? Awesome! But first, here are 10 things to consider 

Jesse Popp (The Conversation)

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Book Chapter

Becoming an anti-oppressive researcher

 Potts, K. & Brown, L. (2015). Becoming an anti-oppressive researcher. In S Strega and L Brown, Research as resistance: Revisiting critical, Indigenous, and anti-oppressive approaches (2nd Ed.). pp. 255-286. Canadian Scholars’ Press, Toronto.

For a copy of this book chapter, contact us

Journal Article

Indigenous women’s experiences of cervical cancer screening: Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research

Kandasamy, S., Jonathan, Y., Majid, U., Farrah, K., & Vanstone, M. (2021). Indigenous women’s experiences of cervical cancer screening: Incorporating Indigenous ways of knowing into a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Global Public Health, 1-14.

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Presentation

Indigenous Data Ownership 

Research Data Canada Webinar

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Equity, diversity and inclusion in research

Equity & Inclusion

Race in Research

February 21, 2023. Presenters: Anjali Menezes, Assistant Clinical Professor and Neha Arora, Clinic Research Coordinator

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DFM Resource

Inclusive Language Tip Sheet

February 7, 2023.

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Journal Article

Person-first and identity-first language: Developing psychologists’ cultural competence using disability language

Dunn, D. S., & Andrews, E. E. (2015). Person-first and identity-first language: Developing psychologists’ cultural competence using disability language. American Psychologist, 70(3), 255.*

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Journal Article

Vagueness, power and public health: Use of ‘vulnerable ‘in public health literature

Katz, A. S., Hardy, B. J., Firestone, M., Lofters, A., & Morton-Ninomiya, M. E. (2020). Vagueness, power and public health: use of ‘vulnerable ‘in public health literature. Critical Public Health, 30(5), 601-611.*

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Journal Article

We are the researched, the researchers, and the discounted: The experiences of drug user activists as researchers

Simon, C., Brothers, S., Strichartz, K., Coulter, A., Voyles, N., Herdlein, A., & Vincent, L. (2021). We are the researched, the researchers, and the discounted: the experiences of drug user activists as researchers. International Journal of Drug Policy, 98, 103364.

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Training

Integrating Sex & Gender in Health Research Core Certification

CIHR Institute of Gender and Health

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Community engaged research

Type of partnership approach where individuals as patients or communities are engaged in research as members of the research team to help shape the research priorities, scope, implementation and outcomes.

Community Engagement

Lived Experiences in Research

October 18, 2022. Presenters: Claire Bodkin, Assistant Clinical Professor, and Jammy Pierre, Peer Investigator

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Community Engagement

Community Engagement in Prison Health

February 19, 2025. Presenters: Fiona Kouyoumdjian, Associate Professor and Lindsay Jennings, Community Investigator

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Resource

Building Patient Engagement in Research: A Guide for Research Teams

PERC Advisory Board (October 2017). Building Patient Engagement in Research: A Guide for Research Teams. A product of the INSPIRE-PHC Patient Engagement Resource Centre (PERC)

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IAP2 Framework 

International Association for Public Participation

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Equity-Centred Community Engagement in Research 

ICES

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