title: Linking research to action for youth violence prevention: Community capacity to acquire, assess, adapt and apply research evidence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Community-based organizations (CBOs) are important stakeholders in the health system, providing many valuable community-based programs and services. However, limited efforts have been made to encourage CBOs to incorporate research evidence into service provision, and their capacity to do so is not well understood. Therefore, the primary goal of this research was to examine CBOs' perceptions of: 1) the frequency of using research and other forms of evidence related to youth violence prevention, and 2) their capacity to acquire, assess, adapt and apply research evidence.
  
  
  METHODS
  CBOs involved in youth violence prevention completed a survey (n=35) and/or attended a focus group (n=16). Survey questions were adapted from the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation's "Is Research Working for You?" tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CBOs' reported use of and capacity to acquire research evidence was high. CBOs reported possessing the structures, processes, and organizational culture needed to apply research evidence in decision-making. Assessing research evidence was a challenge for CBO staff, although many have external experts who can effectively do so. Generally, CBOs reported adequate capacity to adapt (i.e., synthesize, contextualize, and present) research evidence. Adapting research evidence for use in particular populations or geographical areas presented a considerable challenge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although many barriers and socio-political complexities make linking research to action challenging, we found that CBOs generally feel competent and well equipped. Our findings support the viability of extending the push for evidence-based health care to community contexts so that the most effective programs and services for Canadians can be offered.
authors.affiliation: Western University. jencdmacgregor@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Jennifer C D
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: LeMoine
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Labelle
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002170:Canada; D057191:Capacity Building; D002648:Child; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Translational medical research; community-based participatory research; evidence-based practice; health services; needs assessment; violence