An exploratory analysis of the nature of informal knowledge underlying theories of planned action used for public health oriented knowledge translation.
BACKGROUND
Informal knowledge is used in public health practice to make sense of research findings. Although knowledge translation theories highlight the importance of informal knowledge, it is not clear to what extent the same literature provides guidance in terms of how to use it in practice. The objective of this study was to address this gap by exploring what planned action theories suggest in terms of using three types of informal knowledge: local, experiential and expert. We carried out an exploratory secondary analysis of the planned action theories that informed the development of a popular knowledge translation theory. Our sample included twenty-nine (n = 29) papers. We extracted information from these papers about sources of and guidance for using informal knowledge, and then carried out a thematic analysis.


RESULTS
We found that theories of planned action provide guidance (including sources of, methods for identifying, and suggestions for use) for using local, experiential and expert knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
This study builds on previous knowledge translation related work to provide insight into the practical use of informal knowledge. Public health practitioners can refer to the guidance summarized in this paper to inform their decision-making. Further research about how to use informal knowledge in public health practice is needed given the value being accorded to using informal knowledge in public health decision-making processes.
School of Health Studies, Western University, Labatt Health Sciences Building, Room 222, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada. akothari@uwo.ca.
Anita
A
Kothari
School of Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, Labatt Health Sciences Building, Room 403, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada. jboyko@uwo.ca.
Jennifer A
JA
Boyko
Faculty of Information and Media Studies, Western University, 1151 Richmond St., London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada. acampb56@hotmail.com.
Andrea
A
Campbell-Davison
D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006286:Health Planning Councils / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D011634:Public Health / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015980:Public Health Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*