Communication Between Scientists and Practitioners: The Important Link in Knowledge Utilization

Abstract

Personal interaction between investigators doing research and potential users of results of research is essential for the incorporation of new information into policy and practice. Interactive workshops, advisory committees, interdisciplinary research projects, and professional societies are some of the arenas where this interaction takes place. Researchers, practitioners, and society benefit from increased interaction through better focused and directed research and receptive clientele for results of research.

Information technologies and the sharing of disaster knowledge: the critical role of professional culture

“…It also shows that disaster professionals are increasingly drawn to using such technologies in order to access disaster information. Findings also confirm that interpersonal interac tion is essential to disseminating knowledge and incorporating it into practice (Yin and More, 1985;Gori, 1991;Michaels, 1992;ALNAP, 2004;IFRCRCS, 2005). Not surprisingly, the most successful IT were those capable of enhancing interaction among individuals and institutions.…”

“…The various knowledge exchange initiatives undertaken by universities, government agencies, inter national organisations and the private sector have improved the disaster discourse, but the outcome is still unclear. An increase in the circulation of disaster information does not always correspond with increased assimilation of new disaster knowledge (Cochrane, 1991;Drabek and Hoetmer, 1991;Fothergill, 2000;Gori, 1991;Hays, 1988;IFRCRCS, 2005;IJMED, 1993;ISDR, 2005;Michaels, 1992;Mileti, 1999;Quarantelli, 1993). The lack of effective sharing of professional knowledge retards the application of new methods and the development of new programmes and policies, perpetuates disaster myths (De Ville de Goyet, 1999;Mitchell et al, 2000) and contributes to a 'reinventing of the wheel' effect, in which the principles of emergency management are rediscovered time and again.…”

Scientists and disaster management

“…An interesting element in the case of the PCB fire was the fact that some scientists were personally involved, their families having been evacuated. This gave additional meaning to their work, and this is where we come back to the credibility of scientists, credibility developed before the disaster, in their communications with the practitioners[ 28]. As was said previously of trust, communications during the disaster will be facilitated if relationships of trust had been established before the disaster[29].…”