Formal theory offers advantages over common sense for guiding implementation, but empirical evidence of effectiveness is lacking¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · review r2 · q1
Currency · newest study 2015 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q1 i? The article argues formal theories are explicit, open to examination, more consistent with existing facts, and integrate facts into a body of knowledge, whereas common sense consists of implicit assumptions that are harder to challenge. → Nilsen P 2015 q1 i? Empirical research is still needed on how and to what extent using implementation theories, models and frameworks contributes to more effective implementation. → Nilsen P 2015 (2)

Evidence¶

Nilsen P 2015¶

Nilsen P. (2015). Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implementation Science. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-015-0242-0

q1 · i? · review · r2

Theoretical argument in the Summary section, not an empirical test. The article presents this as reasoned argument about advantages of formal theory over informal theory, citing prior conceptual work. No effect size is printed.

"Theories are explicit and open to question and examination; common sense usually consists of implicit assumptions, beliefs and ways of thinking and is therefore more difficult to challenge."

Nilsen P 2015 (2)¶

Nilsen P. (2015). Making sense of implementation theories, models and frameworks. Implementation Science. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-015-0242-0

q1 · i? · review · r2

The review's own statement of an open empirical question, acknowledging critics who argue theory is not necessarily better than common sense for guiding implementation. No data are offered either way.

"empirical research is needed to study how and the extent to which the use of implementation theories, models and frameworks contributes to more effective implementation and under what contextual conditions or circumstances they apply"

Discussion¶

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