**Overview**
The aim of this project is to rigorously co-develop, co-implement, and evaluate the first integrated knowledge translation (IKT) guiding principles for conducting and disseminating spinal cord injury (SCI) research in partnership.
**Context**
This project is being conducted in the context of an IKT research partnership with SCI researchers, research users and funders.
**The Team**
***Members of the research team include:*** Anderson (NASCIC), Anton (ICORD, UBC Medicine), Athanasopoulos (SCI Ontario, SCI Solutions Alliance), Bassett-Spiers (ONF), Campbell (UBCO), Chernesky (RHI, NASCIC), Clarke (SCI Alberta), Forwell (ICORD, UBC Occupational Therapy), Gainforth (UBC, ICORD), Graham (UofO), Kaisor (CSRO), Maffin (SCI BC), Martin Ginis (UBC, ICORD), McBride (SCI Canada, SCI BC), McPhail (ICORD), Mortenson (UBC, ICORD), Noonan (RHI), Scarrow (MSFHR), Schaefer (McGill), Sibley (University of Manitoba), Sweet (McGill University), Tetzlaff (ICORD), Willms (ICORD, GF Strong, UBC Medicine)
***Current partner organizations include:*** International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research, North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium, Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation, Ontario SCI Solutions Alliance, Rick Hansen Institute, SCI Alberta, SCI BC, SCI Canada, SCI Ontario, and the University of British Columbia.
**Guiding Framework**
The project is being guided by Graham et al.'s Knowledge-to-Action Framework. The framework was developed to provide conceptual clarity regarding the key elements of the KM process. The framework divides this dynamic process into two interacting phases: 1) knowledge creation, and 2) action.
The knowledge creation aspects of the project aim to synthesize evidence to create the guiding principles. The action phase aspects of the project aim to develop tools, resources, and interventions that support researchers, knowledge users, and funders to use the guiding principles.
**Study design and methods**
This project is multi-phased, interdisciplinary, and mixed-methods. Sub-studies that address the development, implementation, and evaluation of the IKT guiding principles will be linked to this page as they are developed.
**Data Sources Informing the Development of the Principles**
The IKT Guiding Principles were developed from four data sources. OSF links associated with each data source are provided below:
1. Review of reviews on principles used in research partnerships (Link:https://osf.io/gvr7y/)
2. Scoping review on research partnership principles used in SCI research (Link: osf.io/mzuwp)
3. Interview study examining how SCI researchers and research users have partnered to conduct research (Link: https://osf.io/n5r4h/)
4. Delphi consensus exercise (Link: https://osf.io/a2rf6/)
Subsequently the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument was used to guide the transparent development and presentation of the IKT Guiding Principles (Link: https://osf.io/6cvpb/).
**Funding**
The development and implementation of the principles was primarily supported by an Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council SHRC Partnership Development Grant (SSHRC, Canada, no. 890-2018-0044).
Dr Gainforth is supported by a Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research Scholar Award (MSFHR, Canada, no. 16910). Data sources were funded through an ICORD Seed Grant and UBC Humanities and Social Sciences Research Grant [F18-03646].
**Want to know more?**
If you would like more information or would like to get involved, please visit our website at [www.iktprinciples.com][1], follow us on Twitter @iktprinciples or contact Dr. Gainforth (heather.gainforth@ubc.ca).
[1]: http://www.iktprinciples.com
