Table 2.

IKT categories derived from group discussions

Category	Sub-category	Description
IKT theory	Frameworks	IKT frameworks need to be identified, developed and validated
	Clarity	Greater theoretical clarity about IKT is required; the underlying assumptions of IKT need to be made explicit
IKT methods	Search filters	Search filters that identify IKT concepts in the literature are required
	IKT data collection	Development of approaches to obtaining meaningful data that illustrate the impact of IKT is required; considerations include embedded research from the health system and sampling from multiple populations for IKT outcomes
	Outcomes	Specific IKT outcomes need to be identified
	Evaluation	Tools for evaluating IKT need to be identified or developed and validated
	Reporting guidelines	Report standards for IKT research studies are required
IKT processes	Initiating IKT	Identify strategies to initiate engagement with KUs
	Describing KU	Describe who the KUs are that are using IKT processes
	Accountability	Identify who is accountable for the IKT process
	Indicators of success	Identifying indicators of IKT success
	Governance and leadership	Identify the governance structure for research required to support IKT
Promoting partnership	Level of partnership	Ensuring that KUs are involved in the research priority-setting and engaged with at the highest level of partnership; ensuring engagement is genuine and not tokenism
	Diversity	Accounting for diverse perspectives in the partnership process of IKT
	Experiences	Need for detailed reporting on the characteristics and experiences of various knowledge user types involved in the IKT partnership
	KU needs	Identifying and supporting the KU’s needs throughout the partnership
	Safe spaces	Ensure safe participatory spaces for KUs
	Researcher reciprocation	Identifying ways for researchers to meet the needs of vulnerable groups
	KU reimbursement and IKT cost	Reimbursing KUs for their time and costs associated with collaboration
Definitions and distinctions	Distinguishing IKT from other concepts and approaches	Define and distinguish IKT from patient-oriented research, quality improvement, other designs and methods, learning health systems, implementation science
Capacity-building	Repository	Create a repository of IKT frameworks, tools and publications
	Trainees	Develop a vision for building IKT capacity in trainees
Role of funders	Funding and costs	Examining how funders should account for the added cost of IKT
	Funders as KUs	Determining how and whether funders should be KUs
	Peer-review	Exploring the impact of peer-reviewers on grant success
	Structures	Changing the funding structures to support IKT and KU partnership

IKT integrated knowledge translation, KU knowledge user