Theories models and frameworks collection
🎯 Learning collections are targeted pathways through e-Hub content, bringing together relevant resources on a specific challenge or idea in the field of implementation and scale up science.
🔍 Our learning collections help to cut through the noise and save learners from sifting through long lists of resources not relevant to their interests.
💡 Collections are curated with carefully selected videos, publications, and toolkits, all organised by our dedicated e-Hub team.
🌍 Resources come from different sections of the e-Hub, from the GACD website, and beyond.
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In this collection, you will be guided through videos, publications, and toolkits related to understanding and applying theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) when studying the implementation of NCD programmes, policies, and practices.
This collection provides instruction on TMFs for implementation research. Participants will learn to define TMFs, assess their applicability, and identify contextual factors influencing their selection and adaptation, supplemented by real-world case studies.
This collection provides a structured introduction to theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) in implementation research.
- Introduction: First you will be introduced to TMFs with recommended reading from our ‘Getting started with implementation research’ page.
- e-Hub Programmes: You will then move onto expert-led videos and downloadable materials from both the Fundamentals and Advanced Programmes, covering foundational principles and advanced strategies for scaling interventions and influencing policy.
- Resources and toolkits: The next section highlights key resources and publications for choosing and using TMFs in implementation research.
- Case studies: And lastly, we showcase real-world examples to illustrate effective application of TMFs across diverse projects.
From our 'Getting started...' webpage
Theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) can be useful before you begin implementation (for guiding the process), during implementation (for real-time adjustments), and after implementation (for evaluation). They can help you to understand what you expect to happen and what contextual factors you need to measure. It can be as simple as developing a driver diagram, or as complex as mapping out multiple interacting systems.
Typically…
- Theories explain “why” (broad, tested explanations).
- Models show “how” (simplified representations).
- Frameworks provide structure (conceptual outlines).
Recommended reading:
- Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks (Nilsen, 2015) – click here
- Ten recommendations for using implementation frameworks in research and practice (Moullin et al. 2020) – click here
To find out how to get started with implementation research, click here.
From our Fundamentals Programme
We continue with understanding the varied functions of theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) in the implementation research process.
In this lecture from our Fundamentals Programme, Pilvikki Absetz outlines the different functions that TMFs can fulfil in implementation research, key similarities and differences, and guidance for selecting a TMF for your project.
Next, Pilvikki Absetz continues with a lecture exploring TMFs relevant to behaviour change and how to apply them in practice.
From our Advanced Programme
Next, we move on to highlight key aspects of choosing and using TMFs within the context of implementing NCD programmes at scale.
Abhijit Nadkarni explains the uses of frameworks for studying scale up and introduces five key examples. Abhijit then covers key commonalities across the scale up frameworks and considerations to make in the context of NCD programmes.
Next, three speakers – Urvita Bhatia, Yashi Gandhi, and Praveen Pradeep – walk us through the process of adapting established implementation science TMFs to a scale up setting.
For more information and to access the full Advanced Programme, click here.
Video case studies from across our online programmes
In this section, we provide a selection of valuable video case studies to help deepen your understanding and application of theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) across a diverse array of implementation research projects.
Firstly, you will hear from Kavita Singh, who speaks about applying the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (commonly referred to simply as ‘CFIR’) in a project in India.
Next, Jaap Koot describes using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate a project addressing hypertension and diabetes in Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
Lastly, Kavumpurathu Thankappan describes how TMFs were applied when scaling up the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program.
From our Resources and toolkit library
In this final section, we provide a selection of resources relevant to theories, models, and frameworks (TMFs) for implementation research. These resources are designed to support your work in understanding and applying TMFs effectively.
Below, you’ll find links to toolkits and publications that offer practical guidance and methodologies for choosing, adapting, and applying TMFs.
D&I Models in Health Web Tool
This is an interactive web tool to guide researchers on using dissemination and implementation (“D&I”) models, including tutorials and advanced searches.
Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) website
This site is created for individuals considering using the CFIR to evaluate an implementation or design an implementation study.
RE-AIM and PRISM website
RE-AIM and PRISM guide users to plan, implement, evaluate, and sustain programs with contextual factors in mind, increasing equity and public health relevance.
Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) website
This site was created to explain and support the EPIS Framework and provides resources for using EPIS including measures and tools (e.g., worksheets, guides).
The behaviour change wheel (Michie et al. 2011)
This publication outlines how interventions and policies to change behaviour can be usefully characterised by a ‘Behaviour Change Wheel’ comprising a behaviour system, encircled by intervention functions and policy categories.
ExpandNet Scaling Up Framework website
ExpandNet developed a framework to systematically analyse and support necessary actions for sustainable scale up. This framework grew out of a comprehensive review of literature and experience of ExpandNet members.
To access our curated implementation science resources, click here.
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