Table 2 Overview of barriers in research utilization.

1. No awareness of researchers about the policy process

[12, 21, 27, 36]

and mentioned in inventory

Creating insight in working processes

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

2. Finding researchable questions

[7, 12, 27, 29, 30, 33, 37, 38]

and mentioned in inventory

Negotiate research questions, make an inventory on the need of information

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

3. Answers about a specific item

[12, 30, 39, 40]

and mentioned in inventory

Discuss limitations of study design and timelines

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

4. Limited results by choice of study design, mostly cross-sectional studies, no causes and solutions

[12, 27, 39, 40]

and mentioned in inventory

Discuss limitations of study design and timelines

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

5. Degree of uncertainty

[12, 21, 27, 39]

Discuss limitations of study design and timelines

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

6. Actuality

[12, 21, 27, 39]

and mentioned in inventory

Discuss limitations of study design and timelines

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

7. Timing

[7, 12, 21, 25, 27, 30, 33, 38, 39, 41–43]

and mentioned in inventory

Which research information is given at what time

Process

Expectations

(Preparation phase of research)

8. Language

[12, 18, 22, 27, 33, 38, 39, 44, 45]

and mentioned in inventory

For which target group is the information intended; what jargon is used

How convincing is the research message

How is the package

What is the relation with other policy domains

Process

Transfer

(Publication phase of research)

9. Conflicting knowledge by other

Researchers

[39, 40, 42, 46]

Collecting other research information

Process

Transfer

(Publication phase of research)

10. Media

[12, 43, 47]

Communicating with media

Process

Transfer

(Publication phase of research)

11. Perceived robustness of evidence

[15, 22, 25, 41, 45, 46, 48–50]

How do stakeholders perceive the quality of the research

Individual

Acceptance

12. Perceived credibility of source: researchers or other stakeholders

[25, 28, 29, 38, 41, 43, 51, 52]

and mentioned in inventory

Who is bringing the message

Individual

Acceptance

13. "Fit" with personal knowledge, values or belief systems, preferences and traditions

[25, 41, 43, 46, 50, 51]

and mentioned in inventory

Individual

Acceptance

14. Consider whether or not a problem is important enough to deal with, relevance

[21, 25, 32, 41, 43, 46, 50, 51]

Individual level

Interpretation

15. Consider connection with own personal or institutional interests

[21, 25, 32, 41, 43, 46, 50, 51]

Individual level

Interpretation

16. Consider whose responsibility it is to take action

[21, 25, 32, 43, 46, 50, 51]

Individual level

Interpretation

17. Consider which solutions are at hand

[21, 25, 32, 43, 46, 50, 51]

Individual level

Interpretation