Translation research in occupational safety and health: A proposed framework

Abstract

Translation research in occupational safety and health is the application of scientific investigative approaches to study how the outputs of basic and applied research can be effectively translated into practice and have an impact. This includes the study of the ways in which useful knowledge and interventions are disseminated, adopted, implemented, and institutionalized. In this paper, a 4-stage framework (Development, Testing, Institutionalization, and Evaluation) is presented. Translation research can be used to enhance the use and impact of occupational safety and health knowledge and interventions to protect workers. This type of research has not received much attention in the occupational safety and health field. However, in contemporary society, it is critical to know how to make an impact with the findings and outputs of basic and applied research. This paper provides a novel framework for consideration of how to advance and prioritize translation research for occupational safety and health.

Keywords: dissemination; intervention; research-to-practice.

Conflict of interest statement

DISCLOSURE (AUTHORS)

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

DISCLOSURE BY AJIM EDITOR OF RECORD

Rodney Ehrlich declares that he has no conflict of interest in the review and publication decision regarding this article.

© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Figures

FIGURE 1

Conceptual framework for translation research in occupational safety and health

FIGURE 2

Critical focus points for translation research in occupational safety and health