title: Research's Practice and Barriers of Knowledge Translation in Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knowledge Translation is a process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and application of knowledge to improve the health, services and products In this study we have attempted to examine the knowledge translation practice and its perceived barriers on the universalities and research institutes (research sector) in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. In the quantitative section, a questionnaire had prepared for this study was completed by 88 authors country wide from randomly selected papers. In the qualitative section 13 in-depth interviews and 6 focus group discussions were held with managers and policy makers, clinical and health service providers, and researchers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty four percent of the authors had no interaction whatsoever with the target audience. Lack of expectation toward creating change in the target audience, researchers' incentives, low level of trust among researchers and decision makers, absence of a predefined mechanism for delivery of research results and inappropriate research priorities were among the most important barriers identified in the qualitative section.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Translation of research findings into some concrete outputs which can affect health of people is not in mandate of researchers and subsequently they are not prepared for this as well. Based on the barriers identified, it seems that the following interventions are necessary: cooperation among policy makers at macro and meso (organizational) level and the research sector; establishing networks for researchers and decision makers in choosing the research topic, priority setting, and building trust among researchers and policy makers.
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; 2. Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saharnaz
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nedjat
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; 2. Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Jaleh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gholami
authors.affiliation: 2. Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahareh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yazdizadeh
authors.affiliation: 2. Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Sima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nedjat
authors.affiliation: 2. Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Katayoun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maleki
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ; 2. Knowledge Utilization Research Center (KURC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Majdzadeh
keywords: Evidence-based practice; Knowledge; Research; Utilization