Term: Translational research

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2008-11-20

Definition:

Research that seeks to characterize the sequence of events through which a scientific discovery moves between basic scientists, clinical researchers, practitioners, and consumers, and to find more effective ways to facilitate this process. Translational research can be further specified by the translational phase that it addresses, phase I (basic science to human research or human research to basic science), phase II (human research to practice-based and community-based research or practice-based and community-based research to human research), or phase III (practice-based research to practice and community or practice and community to practice-based research). Phase III translational research is often further divided into dissemination research, implementation research, and diffusion research.

Related terms 

• Community-based research
• Diffusion research
• Dissemination research
• Implementation research
• Practice-based research
• Primary care research
• Research translation or knowledge translation

References 

• Mold JW, Pasternak A, McCaulay A, Manca D, Rubin G, Westfall J, Beasley J, Hickner J, Fagnan LJ, Handley M, Haddy R, Hankey T, Practice-Based Research Subcommittee of North American Primary Care Research Group Committee on Advancing Science of Family Medicine. Definitions of common terms relevant to primary care research. Annals of Family Medicine 2008;6(6):570-571.(View)