Implementation Science

Scope & Guideline

Empowering change with open access to vital implementation findings.

Introduction

Welcome to the Implementation Science information hub, where our guidelines provide a wealth of knowledge about the journal’s focus and academic contributions. This page includes an extensive look at the aims and scope of Implementation Science, highlighting trending and emerging areas of study. We also examine declining topics to offer insight into academic interest shifts. Our curated list of highly cited topics and recent publications is part of our effort to guide scholars, using these guidelines to stay ahead in their research endeavors.
LanguageEnglish
ISSN1748-5908
PublisherBMC
Support Open AccessYes
CountryUnited Kingdom
TypeJournal
Convergefrom 2006 to 2024
AbbreviationIMPLEMENT SCI / Implement. Sci.
Frequency1 issue/year
Time To First Decision-
Time To Acceptance-
Acceptance Rate-
Home Page-
AddressCAMPUS, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND

Aims and Scopes

Implementation Science focuses on the study of methods and strategies to promote the uptake of research findings into routine practice, thereby improving health outcomes. This journal aims to bridge the gap between research and practice by providing a platform for innovative methodologies and frameworks that can enhance the effectiveness of health interventions.
  1. Knowledge Translation:
    The journal emphasizes research on knowledge translation strategies that facilitate the application of evidence-based practices in healthcare settings, ensuring that research findings are effectively communicated and integrated into practice.
  2. Implementation Strategies:
    A core focus is on the development, evaluation, and adaptation of implementation strategies that enhance the uptake of interventions, including strategies tailored to specific contexts and populations.
  3. Evaluation of Health Interventions:
    Research that assesses the effectiveness, fidelity, and sustainability of health interventions is central, with a strong emphasis on hybrid effectiveness-implementation studies that evaluate both outcomes and implementation processes.
  4. Behavioral and Contextual Factors:
    The journal explores the influence of behavioral and contextual factors on the implementation of health interventions, including organizational culture, healthcare provider attitudes, and community engagement.
  5. Equity and Accessibility:
    Implementation Science prioritizes studies that address health disparities and promote equitable access to healthcare interventions, particularly for marginalized and underserved populations.
  6. Innovative Methodologies:
    The journal encourages the use of innovative research methodologies, including mixed methods, qualitative research, and adaptive designs, to capture the complexities of implementation processes.
Implementation Science is witnessing a dynamic evolution in its research themes, with certain areas emerging as significant trends. These trends reflect the journal's responsiveness to contemporary challenges in healthcare delivery and the need for effective implementation strategies.
  1. Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Trials:
    There is a significant increase in hybrid trials that simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of health interventions and the processes of their implementation, reflecting a commitment to both research outcomes and practical application.
  2. Community Engagement and Co-Production:
    Research emphasizing community engagement and co-production in the design and implementation of health interventions is on the rise, highlighting the importance of local context and stakeholder involvement.
  3. Use of Technology and Digital Health Interventions:
    The integration of technology in implementation strategies, particularly in telehealth and digital health interventions, is trending as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for innovative care delivery methods.
  4. Focus on Health Equity:
    There is an emerging emphasis on addressing health equity in implementation research, with studies exploring strategies to reduce disparities and improve access to care for marginalized populations.
  5. Behavioral Economics in Implementation:
    The application of behavioral economics principles to enhance implementation strategies is gaining traction, as researchers seek to understand how to influence provider and patient behaviors effectively.
  6. Real-Time Feedback Mechanisms:
    Emerging research is exploring the use of real-time feedback mechanisms to improve implementation fidelity and adaptation processes, reflecting a shift towards more responsive and adaptive implementation practices.

Declining or Waning

While Implementation Science continues to expand its focus on various aspects of implementation, some areas appear to be declining in prominence. These waning themes suggest a shift in research priorities and methodologies within the field.
  1. Traditional Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs):
    There has been a noticeable decline in the publication of traditional RCTs focused solely on clinical outcomes without considering implementation processes, as the field increasingly recognizes the importance of context and implementation fidelity.
  2. Single-Factor Studies:
    Studies that isolate a single implementation factor or strategy, without examining the interplay of multiple factors, are becoming less prevalent, reflecting a growing understanding of the multifaceted nature of implementation.
  3. Descriptive Implementation Studies:
    Research that primarily describes implementation processes without providing actionable insights or evaluations of effectiveness is waning, as the field moves towards more analytical and evaluative approaches.
  4. Focus on Non-Health Sectors:
    There is a decline in studies that apply implementation science principles to non-health sectors, as the journal increasingly concentrates on health-related implementation issues and interventions.
  5. Overly General Frameworks:
    The use of overly broad or generic implementation frameworks without contextual adaptation is less common, as researchers are encouraged to tailor frameworks to specific settings and populations.

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