Table 3 Differences between SPIRIT agencies
From: Increasing the capacity of policy agencies to use research findings: a stepped-wedge trial
| Â | Agency A | Agency B | Agency C | Agency D | Agency E | Agency F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Geographic focus of work | New South Wales | Australia | New South Wales | New South Wales | New South Wales | New South Wales |
Remit | Public health | Health systems improvement | Health systems improvement | Specific aspect of health | Health systems improvement | Specific aspect of health |
Staff location | Single building | Single building | Single building | Single building | Single building | Various locations throughout NSW |
Staff composition | Primarily career public servants | Mix of clinicians and public servants | Mix of clinicians and public servants | Mix of clinicians and public servants | Mix of clinicians and public servants | Primarily clinicians, some public servants |
Aspects of agency evidence use culture | ||||||
 It is usually or always expected that policies or programmes be evaluated   Percentage of staff within each agency responding ‘yes’: range 34–93% | ||||||
 Interaction with researchers or research organisations is usually or always encouraged   Percentage of staff within each agency responding ‘yes’: range 25–96% | ||||||
Agency systems and structures to support the use of research evidence | ||||||
 Do your policies on how to develop policies or programmes encourage or require research use?   Range of agency leaders’ responses: ‘no’ to ‘yes, very much so’ | ||||||
 Does your organisation provide training for staff in how to access, appraise and apply research?   Range of agency leaders’ responses: ‘no’ to ‘yes, very much so’ | ||||||