Mobilizing Knowledge: The Evidence Gap for Assistive Devices

Knowledge mobilization relies on evidence of sufficient quality to enable appropriate decision making. Although many established sectors produce well-controlled research with sufficient sample sizes to guide decision making confidently, the knowledge mobilization process is challenged in sectors where the pace of change outpaces the ability to complete high-quality research methodologies. For example, technology-sector research involving products and humans can take much longer to complete that the annual or faster product-revision cycles. Therefore, the outcomes from a large multi-site, randomized control study may not apply to a new product that replaces the tested technology. Although well-controlled research with appropriate sample sizes is needed, this approach must be balanced with other evidence sources to address the knowledge-immediacy requirements. The assistive device sector is an interesting group for exploring this human–technology knowledge mobilization issue.