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Theory, Model, and Framework Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST) for Implementation Researchers

**See final page for additional information, including the purpose of the tool, how the tool was developed, and where you can find theories/models/frameworks

to use with this tool.**

Instructions:

1. Complete Table 1 with information about your implementation project

2. Complete Table 2 to evaluate the fit of one or more theory/model/framework (TMF) to your project. The tool can be used to evaluate, assess gaps,

and/or identify opportunities to combine TMFs.

Step 1: In column 1, select the characteristics that are relevant to your project.

Step 2: Note potential TMF(s) at the top of the third and/or fifth columns

Step 3: For each selected characteristic, rate the fit of the potential TMF to your project, and include notes that explain your score.

0 = Poor fit (TMF does not fit project along this characteristic)

1 = Moderate fit (TMF somewhat fits project along this characteristic)

2 = Good fit (TMF fits project well along this characteristic)

Step 4 (Optional): Calculate average score in final row, and use to assess fit of theory to particular project. If multiple team members are

completing the tool, consider averaging scores across team members.

Step 5: Repeat as needed with alternative TMFs.

Step 6: In the action section, describe how you will apply the information from the completed tool to your project.

Table 1: Project information

Project Title:

Research Questions: Aims:

Study Design: Constructs:

Theory, Model, and Framework Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST) for Implementation Researchers

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Data Collection: Analysis Plan:

Table 2: Theory Evaluation

Select to

Include Theory / Model / Framework (TMF) Characteristic

TMF 1: TMF 2:

Score (0,1,2)

Notes Score (0,1,2)

Notes

1. Usability

a. TMF includes relevant constructs (e.g., self-efficacy; climate)

b. Key stakeholders (e.g., researchers; clinicians;funders) are able to understand, apply, andoperationalize TMF.

c. TMF has a clear and useful figure depictingincluded constructs and relationships amongthem.

d. TMF provides a step-by-step approach forapplying it.

e. TMF provides methods for promotingimplementation in practice.

f. TMF provides an explanation of how includedconstructs influence implementation and/oreach other.

2. Testability

a. TMF proposes testable hypotheses.

b. TMF includes meaningful, face-validexplanations of proposed relationships.

c. TMF contributes to an evidence base and/ortheory development because it has been usedin empirical studies.

3. Applicability

a. TMF focuses on a relevant implementationoutcome (e.g., fidelity; acceptability).

Theory, Model, and Framework Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST) for Implementation Researchers

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Select to

Include Theory / Model / Framework (TMF) Characteristic

TMF 1: TMF 2:

Score (0,1,2)

Notes Score (0,1,2)

Notes

b. A particular method (e.g., interviews; surveys;focus groups; chart review) can be used withTMF.

c. TMF addresses a relevant analytic level (e.g.,individual; organizational; community).

d. TMF has been used in a relevant population(e.g., children; adults with serious mentalillness) and/or conditions (e.g., attention deficithyperactivity disorder; cancer).

e. TMF is generalizable to other disciplines (e.g.,education; health services; social work),settings (e.g., schools; hospitals; community-based organizations), and/or populations (e.g.,children; adults with serious mental illness).

4. Acceptability

a. TMF is familiar to key stakeholders (e.g.,researchers; scholars; clinicians; funders).

b. TMF comes from a particular discipline (e.g.,education; health services; social work).

Sco

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Total Score:

Number of Characteristics:

Average Score (Total Score / Number of Characteristics):

Average Score Among Team:

Act

ion

How will you apply the information from this tool? (e.g., Which TMF(s) did you select? What is your rationale for selecting the TMF(s)? If applicable, how will you combine multiple TMFs?)

Theory, Model, and Framework Comparison and Selection Tool (T-CaST) for Implementation Researchers

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Additional Information

What is the purpose of this tool?

Implementation researchers can use this tool to assess the utilization of one or more theory, model, or framework (TMF) in a particular project. More specifically, the tool can be used for:

Considering the characteristics of TMFs most important for the project

Presenting characteristics to stakeholders to identify their priorities

Evaluating the ways in which one or more TMF meets the needs of the project

Comparing potential TMFs to select the best fit for the project

Identifying ways in which multiple TMFs can complement one another to address all important criteria

Communicating to various stakeholders reasons why a TMF was selected

Increasing transparency related to TMF selection and use in reporting (manuscripts, grants, etc.)

How was this tool developed?

This tool was developed by the Dissemination and Implementation Methods Unit at the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute

(NC TraCS) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill under the leadership of Principal Investigator Sarah A. Birken. You can read more about the process for criteria selection and tool development at https://rdcu.be/bbTLQ.

Where can I find TMFs to use with this tool?

An inventory of D&I TMFs can be found at http://www.dissemination-implementation.org.

Please note that this resource is likely not inclusive of all TMFs that can be used in implementation research and practice. For example, Strifler et al.

(2018) identified 159 TMFs used in implementation studies.

https://tracs.unc.edu/http://em.rdcu.be/wf/click?upn=lMZy1lernSJ7apc5DgYM8VTOq3zz8dDoUMn7gfHtCXM-3D_l2cklorKl2kn32D06QaSIWVwrqfTNre-2BIqCCB8sdht0Fztb9jzIDO7dkodn07natoqWiy3fKVzS4TFImiso9Wjzv6hc0TYfgzfKY5shl5hBvM-2FAnIA7l7s9ZA79bNnaKF0-2BJ1MJXYZkvYyhE97Hqbdz-2BFEU41LUwGGX5T8u8bwhDsMYwBiHUdIUjl2oPg5Nf6dPtmDduMunkgQtIbL4w6upO0u01ADYRk61ji0TKgrfN2g7FRmrG6NWJqnV7EGvGe7KzpF-2FJT9HazTV6-2FWqfBQ-3D-3Dhttp://www.dissemination-implementation.org/http://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(17)31417-8/fulltexthttp://www.jclinepi.com/article/S0895-4356(17)31417-8/fulltext

Project Title: Research Questions: Aims: Study Design: Constructs: Data Collection: Analysis Plan: TMF 1: TMF 2: TMF 1_2: TMF 2_2: 1a TMF1: 1a TMF2: 1f: Off1b TMF1: 1b TMF2: 1c TMF1: 1c TMF2: 1d TMF1: 1d TMF2: 1e TMF1: 1e TMF2: 1f TMF2: 2a: Off1f TMF1: 2a TMF1: 2a TMF2: 2b TMF1: 2b TMF2: 3a: Off3b: Off3c: Off3d: Off3e: Off4a: Off4b: Off2c TMF1: 3a TMF1: 2c TMF2: 3a TMF2: 3b TMF2: 3d TMF1: 3d TMF2: 3e TMF1: 3e TMF2: 4a TMF2: 4a TMF1: 4b TMF1: 4b TMF2: 1a: Off1b: Off1c: Off1d: Off1e: OffApply: 3b TMF1: 3c TMF1: 3c TMF2: 1a2: 1b1: 1b2: 1c1: 1c2: 1d1: 1d2: 1e1: 1e2: 1f1: 1f2: 2a1: 2a2: 2b1: 2b2: 2c1: 2c2: 1a1: 3a1: 3a2: 2b: Off2c: Off3b1: 3b2: 3c1: 3c2: 3d1: 3d2: 3e1: 3e2: 4a1: 4a2: 4b1: 4b2: number1: score1: 0average1: team1: score2: 0number2: average2: team2: