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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?

Information Box Group

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.

Information Box Group

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

Knowledge Translation

Knowledge Translation Part 1

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

Knowledge Translation

Knowledge Translation Part 2

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

Knowledge Translation

Integrated KT With Health System Partner

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

Resource

SickKids KT Planning Template

The Hospital for Sick Children

Resource

Knowledge Translation Learning Modules

The Hospital for Sick Children

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

Knowledge Translation

Knowledge to Action Cycle: In Action

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

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.

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.

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).

Resource

Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts

Nielsen Norman Group

Resource

Plain Language Writing Checklist

The Hospital for Sick Children

Resource

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

Knowledge Translation

Presenting Data Visually

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

Knowledge Translation

Data visualization

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

Knowledge Translation

Infographic Design

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

DFM Resource

Infographic Planning Worksheet

June 23, 2026.

Resource

Strategies for Clear and Engaging Slides

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

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

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

Resource

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.