Question

What is the most important reason to disseminate research? Explain your rationale and give specific examples from your experience.

Answer 1

Few reasons to disseminate research are :

• To raise awareness regarding the findings
• To attract or justify funding
• To influence the practice or policy making
• To improve the public understanding
• To communicate the findings effectively with the public.

The most important among the above reasons is to improve public understanding and influence policy making. For example a research finding concluded that main cause of transmission of HIV in health care sector is needle stick injury. Disseminating the result through international publications can draw the attention of government, administration and policy makers. This can lead to further long scale researches and similar findings can lead to development of policies for safe handling and disposal practices, screening and introduction of post exposure prophylaxis program for staff welfare and controlling the transmission of HIV.