The Value of Contribution Mapping to Knowledge Translation for Public Health Policy
Abstract
This study examines the use of Contribution Mapping (CM) to evaluate two collaborative projects: the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey (CSTADS) and the Cancer Risk Assessment in Youth Survey (CRAYS). Using CM, this study explores how alignment efforts (AEs) in coproduction projects contribute to both process and long-term outcomes in public policy.
Using a qualitative explanatory case study approach, data was collected through semi-structured interviews with actors from various sectors, including health researchers, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies. The data was analyzed using constant comparative analysis to triangulate findings. The study identified key AEs and their impact on research to action. The study's findings underscore the importance of using evaluative approaches like CM to understand the public policy network and environment to create tailored AEs.
This study contributes to the broader literature on coproduction for public health policy by offering insights on and demonstrating the benefits of working with diverse actors who are part of the policy network, rather than the policy decision maker alone. These findings can inform similar collaborative projects, with the goal of enhancing the integration of research findings into public policy.