A mixed methods study of education researchers’ knowledge mobilization approaches

Abstract

Calls to improve relationships between education research and practice abound, among them efforts to help researchers work in partnership with and communicate more effectively with policy and practice audiences. Recognizing this need, the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have emphasized the importance of integrating knowledge mobilization (KMb) into education research funding frameworks to ensure that research outcomes are both impactful and responsive to the needs of policymakers and practitioners. In our study, we seek to identify and clarify effective strategies for bridging the divide between education research and practice, contributing to the scholarship on educational change by highlighting the potential of KMb to drive research impact. Using a mixed-methods approach, we conducted an inquiry into the KMb practices of education researchers, beginning with a national survey followed by in-depth case studies of ten research projects identified through the survey. Our analysis examines how knowledge is mobilized from the inception of research through its dissemination and identifies the key factors that support effective KMb in these projects. We demonstrate that Kmb has the potential to generate significant impact when research is practice-centered, when stakeholders are actively engaged throughout the research process, and when KMb strategies are tailored to meet the needs of policy and practice audiences. We also highlight examples of how education research has achieved impact. Additionally, we identify key barriers to KMb, including institutional and systemic challenges that hinder its integration into the research process. We conclude that for education research to be truly impactful, it must prioritize relevance to practice from its inception. We advocate for systemic changes such as incorporating KMb training into doctoral programs, recognizing the value of engaged research within institutions, and diversifying funding mechanisms to support KMb activities.