Introduction

Producing good research is only part of the research process. However important the findings may be, they cannot influence practice, policy or future research if they are not communicated to the people who need to know about them.

Effective dissemination is more than publishing a report or presenting the results at the end of a project. It involves thinking from the outset about who needs to know, what they need to know, how they are most likely to engage with the findings and what we would like them to do with the information. A dissemination strategy should therefore be considered throughout a project rather than as an activity that begins once the research has finished.

This course introduces participants to the principles of effective dissemination and explores different ways of communicating research findings to different audiences. Participants will consider written, verbal and electronic approaches and how the choice of method should reflect the purpose, audience and nature of the information being communicated.

The course also considers the wider purpose of dissemination. Communicating research does not necessarily mean that research will be used. Participants will therefore explore some of the factors that influence whether evidence is translated into practice, including potential barriers to change and approaches that can help increase the impact of research.