Empirical data on the processes underlying knowledge brokering (KB) interventions, including their determining factors and effects, remain scarce. Furthermore, these interventions are rarely built on explicit theoretical foundations, making their critical analysis difficult, even a posteriori. For these reasons, it appeared relevant to revisit the results of a qualitative evaluation undertaken in the province of Quebec in parallel with a Canada-wide randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating various KB strategies in public health. This paper looks critically at the theoretical foundations of the KB interventions in light of two conceptual models: (1) the dissemination model underlying the KB interventions used in the Canadian trial and (2) a systemic KB model developed later. This critical analysis sheds light on the processes involved in KB interventions and the factors influencing their implementation and effects. The conclusions of the critical analysis are consistent with the systemic model, in which interpersonal contact is an essential condition for effective KB interventions. This analysis may advance knowledge in the field by enhancing our understanding of the role of knowledge brokers as essential mediators in KB processes and outcomes.

BackgroundDespite the increasing mobilization of researchers and funding organizations around knowledge translation (KT) in Canada and elsewhere, many questions have been only partially answered, particularly in the field of population health. This article presents the results of a systematic process to draw out possible avenues of collaboration for researchers, practitioners and decision-makers who work in the area of KT. The main objective was to establish a research agenda on knowledge translation in population health.MethodsUsing the Concept Mapping approach, the research team wanted to identify priority themes for the development of research on KT in population health. Mapping is based on multivariate statistical analyses (multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis) in which statements produced during a brainstorming session are grouped in weighted clusters. The final maps are a visual representation of the priority themes of research on KT. Especially designed for facilitating consensus in the understanding and organization of various concepts, the Concept Mapping method proved suitable for achieving this objective.ResultsThe maps were produced by 19 participants from university settings, and from institutions within the health and social services network. Three main perspectives emerge from this operation: (1) The evaluation of the effectiveness of KT efforts is one of the main research priorities; (2) The importance of taking into consideration user contexts in any KT effort; (3) The challenges related to sharing power for decision-making and action-taking among various stakeholder groups. These perspectives open up avenues of collaboration for stakeholders who are involved in research on KT. Besides these three main perspectives, the concept maps reveal three other trends which should be emphasized.ConclusionThe Concept Mapping process reported in this article aimed to provoke collective reflection on the research questions that should be studied, in order to foster coherence in research activities in the field of population health. Based on this, it is appropriate to continue to support the development of research projects in KT and the formation of research teams in this field. Research on KT must lead to concrete outcomes within communities that are interested in the question.

Les changements annuels de la motivation envers les math6matiques au secondaire selon rage et le sexe des 616ves

A great number of the recent studies on infant operant learning use the mobile conjugate reinforcement paradigm with 2‐ and 3‐month‐old infants. This paradigm has proved to be adequate for the study of learning and the transfer of learning. However, difficulties linked to the high attrition rates of subjects, and the variability in performance are frequently observed in studies using other paradigms or in studies with older infants (4–5‐month‐olds). The problems noted in a group of studies seem to be related to important methodological issues such as the brevity of the learning sessions, the choice of dependent measures, and the management of variability in performance. The use of single‐subject designs and the use of variables encountered in infants' daily learning experiences may be the solution to some of the problems.

Celte etude correspond au volet quebecois d'unc cnqueie pan-canadiennc visant ;i ctahlir le profil dc l'ctat de la prevention en sante mentale a l'crc dc la transformation des services de sante. Comme dans l'cnquctc pan-canadienne, des donnees out etc recueillies auprcs des directions de sante mentale et. de promotion de la sante all niveau provincial sur les politiques, les ressources et la programmation en prevention. Par ailleurs, des donnees supplementaires out ete obtenues aupres des Regies rcgionales de la sante et des services sociaux alors en voie de stnicturation, ainsi qu'aupres d'autres services miiiistericls interesses par la prevention en sante mentale. Les resultats souligncnt, outre la vitalite de la programmation en prevention dans different.es structures gouvcrnementalcs, le caractere encore insuffisammeiit structure de I'approche preventive sur le plan administrate et une cenaine distance cntre le discours de la prevention et rengagement du gouvernement, nofamment en matiere de financement recurrent.

A secondary analysis of data from a survey of physical and mental health in the general population was conducted in order to identify sociodemographic and psychological correlates of actual and desired weight insufficiency. In multiple logistic regression analyses, characteristics of respondents whose actual weight, desired weight, or both was insufficient according to Body Mass Index categories were compared to characteristics of respondents whose actual or desired weight was sufficient. Results showed a strong resemblance between weight insufficiency and pre‐clinical eating disorders: those of insufficient actual and/or desired weight tended to be younger, female, and to manifest considerable psychological distress, as measured by the Psychiatric Symptom Index and a General Well‐Being Schedule. Desired weight insufficiency was more important in this pattern than was actual weight, as those whose current weight was sufficient but who desired an insufficient weight had greater distress and suicidal ideation and attempts. These results, along with the high prevalence of both desired and actual weight insufficiency, underscore the importance of underweight as a public health problem.

L'évaluation des services de santé est une problématique la plupart du temps définie de l'intérieur des institutions. Le vécu des petsonnes qui souhaitent se prévaloir de ces services est potentiellement riche en informations. Dans le but de permettre aux institutions offrant des services ambulatoires en santé mentale de calibrer l'accueil qu'elles offrent à la population, les auteurs ont procédé à une étude de simulation de demande d'aide par téléphone. Des comédiens ont été formés à effectuer des demandes d'aide auprès de dix institutions d'une grande ville. L'information recueillie et traitée selon une procédure systématique a permis de définir des profils d'accueil de chaque institution. La grande variabilité des résultats obtenus soulève le problème du sens donné dans notre société à l'accessibilité universelle aux services de santé mentale. La méthode d'investigation est discutée quant à son intérêt pour l'évaluation formative de la qualité des services et politiques d'accueil.The evaluation of health services is most often defined within the framework of the institution. The experiences of persons desiring access to these services is a potentially rich source of information. With the objective of making it possible for institutions offering ambulatory services in mental health to measure the service they offer to the population, the authors carried out a simulation study of requests for help made by telephone. Professional actors received training to make requests for help to ten institutions in a large city. The information which was collected and analyzed systematically resulted in the definition of service profiles for each institution. The great variability of findings raises the problem of the meaning given to universal accessibility to mental health services in our society. The method of investigation is discussed as to its usefulness in evaluation directed toward the quality of services and of service policies.La evaluación de los servicios de salud es una problemática definida, la mayor parte del tiempo, al interior de las instituciones. Las vivencias de las personas que desean prevalerse de esos servicios son potencialmente ricas en información. Con el objeto de permitir a las instituciones que ofrecen servicios ambulatorios en salud mental calibrar la acogida que ellas ofrecen a la población, los autores han procedido a un estudio de simulación de demanda de ayuda por teléfono. Dos actores han sido formados para efectuar las solicitudes de ayuda a diez instituciones de una gran ciudad. La información recogida y tratada según un procedimiento sistemático a permitido definir los perfiles de acogida de cada institución. La gran variabilidad de los resultdos obtenidos plantea el problema del sentido dado en nuestra sociedad a la accesibilidad universal a los servicios de salud mental. El método de investigación es discutido en cuanto a su interés para la evaluación formativa de la calidad de servicios y políticas de acogida

This article reports on the evaluation of Parents Magazine, an age-paced newsletter distributed to parents starting with the birth of their children. The evaluation was carried out after the newsletter's first year of circulation. Measures were taken of reader satisfaction as well as impact on parents' knowledge, attitudes and behavior toward education and use of community resources. Findings indicated that the newsletter's penetration of families and their natural milieu was strong but that it had a limited impact. However, the parents who received the newsletter developed more positive attitudes toward community resources. The articles discusses the implication of these findings for future research.