Policy Studies Component

为了缩小科学与政策之间的差距，MIDAS的研究人员不仅需要得出合理的结果， 而且还必须执行健全的战略，确保这些成果的效用和可得性：即支持 将研究成果转化为政策。本政策研究部分建议， 为传染病缓解的政策制定提供建模结果和工具。我们把翻译定义为 在实践中使用新知识，包括政策制定。科学中的翻译类似于 管理创新和创新扩散研究表明， 政策翻译。扩散理论指出了“弱网络”的重要性：一个以少数 节点，其连接在两个独立的网络之间引导信息交换。本政策中 研究组成部分，我们利用现有的和新的研究人员与政策制定者的合作。他们 通过薄弱的网络进行联系，每个国家的领导人通过这些网络交换信息（传播）， 然后在每一个（扩散）中充当执行者。我们建议，模型结果的翻译 公共卫生政策的工具依赖于模型制定者和政策制定者之间的薄弱网络 他们利用传播和扩散来传递信息和反馈。两个具体目标将 探讨这一命题是否为政策翻译研究提供了一个可行的启示性框架：（1） 让决策者参与确定和解决公共卫生需求，以模拟结果， 工具.这一重点是探讨问题的适用于应用程序的建模，最佳的 建立模型以解决用户的问题，以及使用 实践者和政策制定者的建模方法。(2)评估翻译建模的策略 成果和工具纳入公共卫生政策。这一目标将解决以下问题： 有效地将建模转换为策略应用程序？哪些组织因素促进了 政策制定者的建模工具和结果？早期采用者和思想的典型特征是什么 鼓励进一步推广建模的领导者？理论、研究和案例的综合 这是一个政策研究的概念模型。这种推/拉模式的创新之处在于它结合了 传播和扩散战略及其基于社会科学的评估方法。的 Push/Pull模型嵌入在集成决策支持路径中， 理论和实际的研究人员，决策者合作存在于MIDAS。

To narrow the gap between science and policy, MIDAS researchers need not only to produce sound results but also to implement sound strategies to assure utility of and access to those results: that is, to support the translation of research to policy. This Policy Studies Component proposes to advance the translation of modeling results and tools to policy making for infectious disease mitigation. We define translation as the use of new knowledge in practice, including policy making. Translation in science is analogous to innovation in management, and diffusion-of-innovation studies suggest an evidence-based foundation for policy translation. Diffusion theory points to the importance of the "weak network": one that features a few nodes whose connections channel an information-exchange between two separate networks. In this Policy Studies Component, we take advantage of existing and new researcher-policy maker collaborations. They connect through weak networks across which the leaders in each exchange information (dissemination) and then serve as implementers within each (diffusion). We propose that the translation of modeling results and tools to public health policy depends on the weak network between modelers and policy makers who use dissemination and diffusion to channel information and feedback. Two Specific Aims will explore whether this proposition is a feasible and revealing framework for the study of policy translation: (1) Engage policy makers in identifying and addressing public health needs for modeling results and tools. This focus is on exploring the problems appropriate for applications of modeling, the optimal construction of models to address users' questions, and the appropriate circumstances for the use of modeling approaches by practitioners and policy makers. (2) Evaluate strategies for translating modeling results and tools into public health policy. This aim will address questions such as: What strategies effectively translate modeling to policy applications? What organizational factors facilitate the adoption of modeling tools and results by policy makers? What characteristics typify the early adopters and thought leaders who encourage further diffusion of modeling? A synthesis of theory, research, and case examples leads to a conceptual model for Policy Studies. This Push/Pull Model is innovative in its combination of dissemination and diffusion strategies and its evaluation methodology grounded in social science. The Push/Pull Model is embedded in the integrated decision support pathway and captures both diffusion theory and the actual researcher-policy maker collaborations existing in MIDAS.