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MethodStatistics1,836 AI & ML1,661 Decision Sciences932 Research Methods1,354 Measurement1,745 Causal & Evidence532 Research Practice118

56 methods in Research Practice · Causal & EvidenceClear

Methods at the intersection of your two filters.

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implementation science

Adoption Scale

Innovation Adoption refers to the extent to which an innovation, evidence-based practice, or new technology is actually used by the target population or in the target setting. Adoption is typically measured as the percentage of eligible users/staff who have adopted the innovation by a specific time point, or the trajec

implementation science

Behaviour Change Wheel

The Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) is a systematic, evidence-based framework for designing behavior change interventions. Developed by Michie et al. (2011) and built on the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation→Behavior), the BCW guides practitioners through a structured process: diagnose behavior change barri

bibliometrix-assisted PRISMA-based review

A bibliometrix-assisted PRISMA-based review combines the structured, transparent reporting framework of PRISMA with the quantitative science-mapping capabilities of the bibliometrix R package. The approach embeds bibliometric analyses — such as citation analysis, co-authorship mapping, and keyword co-occurrence — into

bibliometrix-assisted systematic literature review

A bibliometrix-assisted systematic literature review integrates the R package bibliometrix — developed by Aria and Cuccurullo (2017) — into the standard systematic review pipeline to automate and visualize bibliometric performance and science-mapping analyses. It combines the transparency and reproducibility of a proto

implementation science

Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research

The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) is a five-domain model designed to systematically evaluate the factors influencing implementation success of evidence-based interventions in health systems. Developed by Damschroder et al. (2009) and refined through extensive use across health domains, CFIR

evidence synthesis

Dose-Response Meta-Analysis

Dose-response meta-analysis is a specialized evidence synthesis method that models the relationship between exposure dose (or intensity, duration, quantity) and health outcome across multiple studies, assessing whether effects follow a linear trend, nonlinear curve, or threshold pattern. Pioneered by Greenland and Long

implementation science

EBPAS-36

The EBPAS-36 is a 36-item self-report questionnaire that assesses clinicians' and organizational leaders' attitudes toward adopting and implementing evidence-based practices (EBP). Developed by Aarons in 2005 and refined through multiple validation studies, it measures four core dimensions: perceived requirements to ad

academic writing

EQUATOR Network Reporting Guidelines

EQUATOR (Enhancing QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) is a global network that develops, endorses, and promotes reporting guidelines for health and life sciences research. Founded in 2006 and hosted by the University of Oxford, EQUATOR maintains a library of 500+ guidelines covering study designs (randomized

implementation science

Fidelity Assessment in Implementation

Fidelity Assessment is the systematic measurement of the degree to which an intervention is delivered as designed in real-world practice. Formalized by the National Institutes of Health Behavior Change Consortium (Bellg et al. 2004) and expanded in MRC guidance (Moore et al. 2015), fidelity assessment is critical to im

implementation science

Fidelity Scale

Fidelity of Implementation refers to the degree to which an evidence-based practice or intervention is delivered as originally designed and intended. The Fidelity of Implementation Scale (or fidelity assessment framework) operationalizes this concept by specifying the core components of an intervention, defining each c

Field-mapping Scoping review

A field-mapping scoping review is a purposive variant of the scoping review in which the overarching goal is to chart the conceptual and empirical landscape of a research field — identifying what has been studied, by whom, using which methods, and where knowledge gaps remain. It follows the Arksey and O'Malley scoping

research methodology

GRADE Evidence Profiling

GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) is a systematic, transparent framework for assessing the certainty of evidence and determining the strength of clinical recommendations in healthcare. Published in 2008 by Guyatt et al., GRADE has become the international standard for guideline d

implementation science

ICS

The Implementation Climate Scale (ICS) is a brief organizational assessment tool that measures the extent to which an organization's work climate, policies, and systems are aligned with and supportive of evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation. Developed by Ehrhart, Aarons, and Farahnak in 2014, the ICS measures f

implementation science

ILS

The Implementation Leadership Scale (ILS) is a 12-item self-report measure that assesses unit-level leadership behaviors critical to successful implementation of evidence-based practices and innovations. Developed by Aarons, Ehrhart, and Farahnak in 2014, the ILS measures four dimensions of implementation leadership: p

implementation science

Implementation Outcome Taxonomy

The Implementation Outcome Taxonomy is a framework defining eight measurable dimensions for assessing implementation success: Acceptability, Adoption, Appropriateness, Feasibility, Fidelity, Implementation Cost, Penetration, and Sustainability. Developed by Proctor et al. (2011), it provides a standardized vocabulary a

evidence synthesis

Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

Individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) is a systematic synthesis method where researchers obtain and analyze raw data at the patient level from multiple randomized controlled trials, rather than relying on published summary statistics (aggregate data). Pioneered by the Cochrane Collaboration and formalized by S

implementation science

Knowledge Translation

Knowledge Translation (KT) is the systematic synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and application of research findings to improve health outcomes and healthcare practice. First formalized by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in 2004, KT recognizes that evidence generation alone does not automatically change cli

implementation science

KTA

The Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) Framework is a conceptual model and process guide for translating evidence into practice, developed by Ian Graham and colleagues at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (2004–2006). The KTA framework addresses a central challenge in implementation science: research evidence alone does no

evidence synthesis

Living Systematic Review

A living systematic review (LSR) is a dynamic, continuously updated evidence synthesis that monitors emerging literature and incorporates new studies as they become available, rather than being a static document published once. Formalized by Elliott et al. (2017) and adopted by the Cochrane Collaboration, living system

academic writing

Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis is the statistical pooling of quantitative findings from multiple independent studies to produce a combined effect estimate. By aggregating data across studies, meta-analysis increases statistical power, reduces random error, and provides a precise summary of an intervention's effectiveness or an associat

meta-regression-based meta-analysis

Meta-regression-based meta-analysis extends standard meta-analysis by fitting a weighted regression model in which study-level characteristics (moderators) predict observed effect sizes. Rather than simply pooling effects, this approach asks why effects vary across studies — linking heterogeneity in outcomes to differe

Narrative Review

A narrative review is a broad, author-directed synthesis of published literature on a topic, written to summarize, interpret, and contextualize existing knowledge without following the rigorous, pre-registered search and selection protocols that characterize systematic reviews. It draws on the author's expertise to wea

evidence synthesis

Network Meta-Analysis

Network meta-analysis (NMA) is a systematic method for comparing multiple interventions simultaneously within a single analytical framework, incorporating both direct evidence (head-to-head trials) and indirect evidence (comparisons via common comparators). First formalized by Lumley in 2002, NMA allows researchers to

Network-based Meta-analysis

Network-based Meta-analysis (NMA) extends conventional pairwise meta-analysis by simultaneously synthesizing evidence across a network of two or more competing treatments, including pairs that have never been compared head-to-head in a single trial. By combining direct and indirect evidence within a coherent statistica

implementation science

Normalization Process Theory

Normalization Process Theory (NPT) is a sociological framework developed by Carl May and colleagues to explain how new interventions become routinely embedded ('normalized') in organizational and clinical practice. Unlike efficiency-focused frameworks that measure adoption and fidelity, NPT explains the social processe

implementation science

NPT

Normalization Process Theory (NPT) is a framework developed by May, Murray, and colleagues (2009) to explain how new practices, technologies, and innovations become embedded and sustained in everyday organizational and clinical work. Rather than viewing implementation as a one-time adoption event, NPT conceptualizes im

implementation science

ORIC

The Organizational Readiness for Implementing Change (ORIC) is a 12-item self-report measure that assesses organizational readiness to implement evidence-based practices and innovations. Developed by Shea and colleagues in 2014, the ORIC measures two critical dimensions of organizational readiness: Change Commitment (t

implementation science

PORAS

The Perceived Organizational Readiness for Assisting the System (PORAS) is a 19-item self-report measure developed by Helfrich and colleagues to assess organizational readiness to implement health information technology systems and other healthcare innovations. Grounded in Weiner's theory of organizational readiness fo

research methodology

PRISMA Checklist

PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) is a 27-item evidence-based checklist published in 2021 (updated from 2009) to standardize reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Endorsed by over 500 journals, PRISMA is the international standard for evidence synthesis reporting,

PRISMA-based review

A PRISMA-based review is a systematic literature review conducted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Originally published by Moher et al. in 2009 and updated as PRISMA 2020 by Page et al., the framework specifies a 27-item checklist and

PRISMA-compliant Co-citation analysis

PRISMA-compliant co-citation analysis is a systematic bibliometric method that applies the PRISMA 2020 reporting framework to co-citation analysis. It identifies intellectual clusters in a research field by measuring how frequently pairs of documents are cited together, while ensuring full transparency of the literatur

PRISMA-compliant Scoping review

A PRISMA-compliant scoping review is a scoping review conducted and reported according to the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) extension, a 20-item checklist plus explanation published by Tricco et al. in 2018. Scoping reviews map the breadth and volume of evidence on a topic without synthesizing effect sizes; t

PRISMA-compliant Umbrella Review

A PRISMA-compliant umbrella review is a structured synthesis of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on a topic, conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines — specifically the PRIOR extension developed for umbrella reviews

Protocol-based Meta-analysis

A protocol-based meta-analysis is a meta-analysis conducted according to a detailed, pre-registered protocol that specifies all key methodological decisions — research questions, eligibility criteria, search strategy, outcome measures, and statistical methods — before data collection begins. Pre-registration, typically

Protocol-based Systematic literature review

A protocol-based systematic literature review is a systematic review conducted according to a fully pre-specified and publicly registered research protocol. By committing the review question, eligibility criteria, search strategy, and planned analyses to a registered document before data collection begins, this approac

Protocol-based Umbrella review

A protocol-based umbrella review is an umbrella review — a synthesis of existing systematic reviews and meta-analyses on a common topic — conducted under a publicly pre-registered protocol, typically in PROSPERO or a similar registry. Pre-registering the protocol before data collection begins commits the research team

qualitative research

Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Methods

Qualitative evidence synthesis (QES) is a systematic method for combining and interpreting findings from multiple qualitative research studies to generate higher-level understanding and theory. Different approaches—meta-ethnography, thematic synthesis, meta-narrative review, critical interpretive synthesis—each have di

evidence synthesis

Qualitative Meta-Synthesis

Qualitative meta-synthesis is a systematic method for synthesizing findings from multiple qualitative research studies (interviews, focus groups, ethnographies) to develop integrated interpretations and theoretical insights. Formalized by Sandelowski and Barroso (2007) and popularized by Thomas and Harden (2008), quali

Rapid Review

A rapid review is a streamlined form of systematic review that deliberately simplifies or omits certain steps — such as dual screening, exhaustive grey-literature search, or full risk-of-bias assessment — in order to deliver timely, policy-relevant evidence synthesis within weeks rather than years. It is increasingly u

evidence synthesis

Rapid Review Methodology

A rapid review is a systematic synthesis method that accelerates the evidence review process by streamlining or omitting certain systematic review steps while maintaining transparent, reproducible methodology. Pioneered by Khangura et al. (2012) and codified by the Cochrane Collaboration (2020), rapid reviews answer ur

implementation science

RE-AIM Framework

The RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance) is a five-dimension evaluation tool designed to assess the public health impact of evidence-based interventions in real-world settings. Developed by Glasgow et al. (1999) to address the gap between efficacy trials (controlled conditions)

evidence synthesis

Realist Synthesis

Realist synthesis is a theory-driven, interpretive method for evidence synthesis developed by Ray Pawson (2005) that focuses on understanding HOW and WHY interventions work, rather than WHETHER they work. Grounded in realist philosophy, realist synthesis examines Context-Mechanism-Outcome (CMO) configurations: how spec

implementation science

Scaling Up Health Interventions

Scaling Up is the deliberate expansion of successful health interventions from pilot sites to entire health systems, regions, or countries. Formalized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Simmons et al. (2007), scaling up is distinct from simple dissemination; it requires systematic planning, financial modeling,

Scoping Review

A scoping review is a systematic evidence-synthesis method that maps the breadth and nature of research on a topic — identifying key concepts, evidence types, and gaps — without necessarily appraising study quality or pooling effect sizes. Developed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and refined by Levac and colleagues (201

evidence synthesis

Scoping Review Methodology

A scoping review is a structured, transparent literature mapping method that identifies and synthesizes evidence across a defined topic without formally assessing study quality or generating pooled effect estimates. Developed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and refined by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) and PRISMA-ScR

implementation science

SoC

The Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoC) is a 35-item self-report instrument that measures the types and intensity of concerns individuals experience when adopting new practices, technologies, or innovations. Developed by Hall and colleagues in the 1970s as part of the Concerns-Based Adoption Model (CBAM), the SoC mea

Systematic Literature Review

A systematic literature review (SLR) is a structured, reproducible method for identifying, appraising, and synthesizing all relevant studies on a research question. Unlike a narrative review, it follows an explicit, pre-specified protocol — from database search strings through inclusion criteria to data extraction — so

Systematic Mapping Review

A systematic mapping review (also called a 'scoping review') is a literature review methodology that aims to comprehensively identify and categorize the published evidence on a topic without necessarily assessing the quality of individual studies or synthesizing findings quantitatively. Developed by Arksey and O'Malley

academic writing

Systematic Review

A systematic review is a structured, transparent synthesis of all available evidence addressing a specific research question. Unlike narrative reviews, systematic reviews employ comprehensive database searches, predefined selection criteria, quality assessment, and rigorous reporting (PRISMA guideline). The Cochrane Co

implementation science

Theoretical Domains Framework

The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) is a 14-domain model that integrates constructs from 33 behavior change and implementation theories to identify barriers and facilitators to professional and public behavior change. Developed by Michie et al. (2005) to provide a practical tool for implementation scientists and be

Time-sliced Meta-analysis

Time-sliced meta-analysis is a variant of standard meta-analysis in which the primary studies are partitioned into successive time periods (slices) and a separate pooled effect estimate is computed for each period. By comparing pooled effects across periods, researchers can detect whether an intervention's effectivenes

Time-sliced Systematic literature review

A time-sliced systematic literature review applies the rigorous search, screening, and synthesis protocol of a standard systematic review while dividing the retrieved corpus into discrete temporal periods — time slices — and analyzing each period separately. This design reveals how a research field has developed across

evidence synthesis

Umbrella Review

An umbrella review is a systematic synthesis of multiple systematic reviews addressing overlapping or related research questions, typically on the same topic or intervention. Also called a 'review of reviews' or 'overview of reviews,' umbrella reviews consolidate evidence when two or more high-quality systematic review

VOSviewer-assisted meta-analysis

VOSviewer-assisted meta-analysis integrates the bibliometric network visualisation capabilities of VOSviewer into the literature identification and mapping phases of a standard meta-analysis. Before the statistical pooling of effect sizes begins, VOSviewer is used to visualise co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrenc

VOSviewer-assisted scoping review

A VOSviewer-assisted scoping review integrates the structured, broad-mapping purpose of a scoping review with VOSviewer's bibliometric visualization capabilities. After standard database searching and eligibility screening, the retained records are exported to VOSviewer, which produces co-authorship, keyword co-occurre

VOSviewer-assisted systematic literature review

A VOSviewer-assisted systematic literature review combines the rigorous search-and-appraisal pipeline of a standard systematic review with bibliometric network visualization produced by the VOSviewer software. The approach allows researchers to systematically retrieve and screen the literature while simultaneously mapp