THE NATURE AND IMPACT OF POLICY-INDUCED PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN RESEARCHAND PRACTICE COMMUNITIES

To enhance the relevance and usefulness of social science research, la rge-scale research grant allocation policies are emphasizing, if not r equiring, the formation of research partnerships between researchers a nd members of the community of practice. The emergence ofa revisionist conception of traditional dissemination and utilization theoretical f rameworks is consistent with this policy direction, but supportive emp irical evidence remains thin. This study reports on a multi-method eva luation of a major Canadian strategic grant program that has such part nership guidelines. Surveys of 74 funded projects and four case profil es and inter-views with researchers, members of the community of pract ice, and grant application adjudicators concerning a strategic grant p rogram called Education and Work in a Changing Society provided the pr imary basis for investigating the nature and impact of policy-induced partnerships. Results show favorable effects of partnerships on resear ch and dissemination strategies and impact in the practice community, but ideological pragmatic issues surfaced as inhibitory factors. The r esults are discussed in terms of implications for the revisionist diss emination and utilization framework, the role of granting agencies and ramifications for future research and grant allocation policy.