A Tool to Assess and Compare Knowledge Mobilization Efforts of Faculties of Education, Research Brokering Organizations, Ministries of Education, and School Districts

Abstract

There are few tools that exist to measure knowledge mobilization (KMb), the process of connecting research to policy and practice, across diverse organizations and sectors.  This article reports on a comparison of KMb efforts of 105 educational organizations: faculties of education (N = 21), intermediary organizations (N = 44), school districts (N = 14), and ministries of education (N = 26).  This study used an instrument that analyzed KMb efforts along two dimensions -- (1) research dissemination strategies (products, events, and networks) and (2) research use indicators (different types of indicators, ease of use, accessibility, collaboration, and mission) – using data available on organizational websites.  Findings:  Intermediaries and faculties of education are producing stronger efforts in relation to knowledge mobilization than school districts and ministries of education; however, even faculties and intermediaries generally have modest efforts.  Most KMb efforts are product based, with network strategies usually being the weakest KMb strategy utilized.