Replication Data for: Single Conversations Expand Practitioners' Use of Research: Evidence from a Field Experiment

Many people seek to increase practitioners’ use of research evidence in decision-making. Two common strategies are dissemination and interaction. Dissemination can reach a wide audience at once, yet interactive strategies can be especially beneficial because they entail back-and-forth conversations with practitioners to clarify how research evidence applies in a particular context. To date, however, we lack direct evidence of the impact of interaction above and beyond dissemination. Partnering with an international sustainability-oriented NGO, I conducted a field experiment to test the impact of an interactive strategy (a single conversation) on practitioners’ use of research evidence in a pending decision. I find that the conversation had a large impact on research use relative to only receiving disseminated materials, and this was likely due to increased self-efficacy. I also provide practical guidance on how researchers can apply this finding close to home as they seek to strengthen linkages between science and society.