Chapter 2 - Implementation Science

Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the science of implementation together with practical implementation frameworks and processes conceptualized through the work of the National Implementation Research Network (NIRN). The recommendations for moving science to service are informed by a comprehensive review of the implementation evaluation and research literature across multiple domains and the resulting synthesis of the literature by Fixsen et al. from extensive reviews of diffusion and dissemination literature. The chapter highlights certain prerequisite conditions for making good use of science in the real world. In order for an evidence-based intervention to be well operationalized, the core intervention components must be clearly specified. The implementation stages describe the essential activities that occur during the planning and execution of implementation efforts in education and other human service settings. The implementation drivers are grouped into the following three domains: competency drivers, organization drivers, and leadership drivers.