Connecting the dots: Understanding the flow of research knowledge within a research brokering network

Authors

  • Joelle Rodway Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v23.2180

Keywords:

educational policy, research use, knowledge mobilization, social networks, mixed methods research

Abstract

Networks are frequently cited as an important knowledge mobilization strategy; however, there is little empirical research that considers how they connect research and practice. Taking a social network perspective, I explore how central office personnel find, understand and share research knowledge within a research brokering network. This mixed methods case study focused on the first two cohorts of school district Mental Health Leaders participating Ontario’s Child and Youth Mental Health program (N=37). Data were collected and analyzed in two phases: 1) the administration of a social network survey to all participants (response rate = 97%), and 2) follow-up interviews with key informants identified by the social network analysis (N=11). The findings indicate that this is a sparse network and the pattern of incoming ties tends to focus on a subset of individuals. When the identified key players (who are sometimes but not always program staff) are removed, network activity is cut by more than half; the removal of the remaining program staff members renders the network virtually non-existent. Research knowledge typically flowed in a single direction as there were few reciprocal ties within the network. Interview data yielded some important insights indicating that participants perceived formal CYMH events as their main access points to research knowledge and that Mental Health Leaders who were identified as prominent sources of research knowledge had pre-existing relationships with CYMH program staff.  

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Author Biography

Joelle Rodway, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

Joelle Rodway is a former secondary school teacher and department head who successfully defended her doctoral dissertation titled, Mobilizing Knowledge through Social Networks, in August 2015. Her dissertation research took a social network approach to exploring how informal patterns of interaction mediated knowledge mobilization activities in support of evidence-based school mental health policy-making at the school district level. She is currently working on two international projects: one focuses on professional learning networks in Kenya and the other investigates connecting research and practice through research learning communities in the UK.

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Published

2015-12-06

How to Cite

Rodway, J. (2015). Connecting the dots: Understanding the flow of research knowledge within a research brokering network. Education Policy Analysis Archives, 23, 123. https://doi.org/10.14507/epaa.v23.2180

Issue

Section

Knowledge Mobilization in Education