How do you align your evaluation questions and indicators with the stages of translational research?

2 Stage 2: Clinical to Practice Research

This is the stage where researchers test the effectiveness and safety of an intervention in real-world settings, such as pragmatic trials, observational studies, or quality improvement projects. The evaluation questions at this stage focus on the external validity of the intervention, such as how well it can be adapted, implemented, and sustained in different contexts and populations. The evaluation methods at this stage include mixed methods data collection and analysis, such as assessing fidelity, barriers, facilitators, and costs of implementation.

3 Stage 3: Practice to Policy Research

This is the stage where researchers test the impact and scalability of an intervention at the system level, such as policy analysis, dissemination studies, or health services research. The evaluation questions at this stage focus on the population-level outcomes and equity of the intervention, such as how well it reduces disparities, improves access, and influences policy. The evaluation methods at this stage include qualitative data collection and analysis, such as stakeholder engagement, policy mapping, and case studies.

4 Stage 4: Policy to Population Health Research

This is the stage where researchers test the long-term and cumulative effects of an intervention on the health and well-being of the population, such as epidemiological studies, health impact assessment, or social determinants of health research. The evaluation questions at this stage focus on the attribution and contribution of the intervention to the population health outcomes, such as how well it addresses the root causes, modifies the risk factors, and enhances the protective factors. The evaluation methods at this stage include longitudinal data collection and analysis, such as cohort studies, trend analysis, and counterfactual modeling.