Glossary

The action or process of officially recognizing someone as having a particular status or being qualified to perform a particular activity (Lexico, n.d.).

A process that uses diverse art genres (e.g., visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, multimedia including video and photography) to communicate research with the goal of catalyzing dialogue, awareness, engagement, and advocacy to provide a foundation for social change on important societal issues (Kukkonen and Cooper, 2019, p. 293).

The process, tools, and techniques used to manage change, including planning, validating and implementing change, and verifying effectiveness of change (American Society for Quality, 2022a).

The practice and process of supporting people through change, with the goal of ensuring that the change is successful in the long-term (World Health Organization, 2019, p. 3). Change management helps people to change their behaviors, attitudes, and/or work processes to achieve a desired business objective or outcome.

The gathering, acquiring, receiving, or obtaining of personal health information by any means from any source (Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2015a).

A scan that combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around your body and that uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels, and soft tissues inside your body (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

The obligation of a health care provider (or other person) to protect the secrecy of personal information.

Individuals with formal power who have knowledge, tools, and resources to address the issue (Attygalle, 2017, p. 3).

The interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs (Merriam-Webster, 2022).

Individuals with lived experience of the situation or issue at hand (Attygalle, 2017).

Facts and statistics in their raw form, collected for reference, analysis, or decision-making.

The knowledge and skills required to ask and answer a range of questions by analyzing data including developing an analytical plan, selecting and using appropriate statistical techniques and tools, and interpreting, evaluating, and comparing results with other findings (Statistics Canada, 2020).

A set of rules, models, policies, or standards that govern which data is collected, and how it is acquired, stored, arranged, secured, accessed, and used (Olavsrud, 2022).

A named collection of related data elements that is formally managed as a single unit. They may be a collection of facts represented as text, numbers, graphics, images, sound, or video, and are the raw material from which information can be derived and decisions can be made.

The knowledge required to know what data is and what are different types of data (Statistics Canada, 2020). This includes understanding the use of data concepts and definitions.

The knowledge and skills to determine if data is 'clean' and if not, using the best methods and tools to take necessary actions to resolve any problems (Statistics Canada, 2020).

The knowledge and skills to search, identify, locate, and access data from a range of sources related to the needs of an organization (Statistics Canada, 2020).

The knowledge that allows a person to acquire, use, interpret and share data in an ethical manner including recognizing legal and ethical issues (e.g., biases, privacy) (Statistics Canada, 2020).

The knowledge and skills required to use a range of methods and tools to explore patterns and relationships in the data (Statistics Canada, 2020). The methods include summary statistics, frequency tables, outlier detection, and visualization to explore patterns and relationships in the data.

The knowledge and skills to gather data in simple and more complex forms to support the gatherer’s or organization's needs (Statistics Canada, 2020). This could involve the planning, development, and execution of surveys, or gathering data from other sources such as administrative data, satellite, or social media data.

A discipline which provides the necessary policies, processes, standards, roles, and responsibilities needed to ensure that data is managed as an asset (Fircan, 2021b).

The knowledge and skills required to read and understand tables, charts, and graphs and identify points of interest (Statistics Canada, 2020). Interpretation of data also involves synthesizing information from related sources.

The sequence of events that data goes through from its initial creation or capture to its eventual archiving or destruction at the end of its usefulness.

The ability to understand and communicate data as information (Jackson & Carruthers, 2019).

The business function of planning for, controlling, and delivering data (Fircan, 2021b).

The knowledge and skills required to navigate internal and external systems to locate, access, organize, protect, and store data related to the organization's needs (Statistics Canada, 2020).

The knowledge and skills required to apply advanced statistical and analytic techniques and tools (e.g., regression, machine learning, data mining) to perform data exploration and build accurate, valid and efficient modelling solutions that can be used to find relationships between data and make predictions about data (Statistics Canada, 2020).

The planning, implementation, and control activities to ensure that data services provided comply with all regulatory and legislative requirements that an organization is subject to.

The knowledge and skills to assess data sources to ensure they meet the needs of the gatherer or organization (Statistics Canada, 2020). This includes both identifying errors and taking action to address the issues with the data.

The knowledge and skills required to effectively manage data assets (Statistics Canada, 2020). This includes the oversight of data to ensure fitness for use, the accessibility of the data, and compliance with polices, directives, and regulations.

The knowledge and skills required to use appropriate software, tools, and processes to gather, organize, analyze, visualize and manage data (Statistics Canada, 2020).

The knowledge and skills required to create meaningful tables, charts and graphics to visually present data (Statistics Canada, 2020). This also includes evaluating the effectiveness of the visual representation (i.e., using the right chart) while ensuring accuracy to avoid misrepresentation.

A passive and unplanned “just let it happen” process, in which the potential user of knowledge needs to seek it out.

The fact that, as a general rule, consent is required to disclose an individual’s personal health information, unless PHIPA allows the disclosure without consent and it means to make the personal health information available or to release it to another custodian or person (Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2015a).

Leadership that is collective in nature and extends beyond a singular individual within an organization (Gibb, 1954).

A concept meant to convey the existence of difference (The University of British Columbia, n.d.).

Achieving parity in policy, process, and outcomes for historically and/or currently underrepresented and/or marginalized people and groups while accounting for diversity (The University of British Columbia, n.d.).

The demonstration of an awareness of, and willingness to, address equity issues (The University of British Columbia, n.d.).

The knowledge and skills required to evaluate a range of data sources and evidence in order to make decisions and take actions (Statistics Canada, 2020). This can include monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of policies and programs.

The knowledge and skills required to use data to help in the decision-making and policy-making process (Statistics Canada, 2020). This includes thinking critically when working with data, formulating appropriate business questions, identifying appropriate datasets, deciding on measurement priorities, prioritizing information garnered from data, converting data into actionable information, and weighing the merit and impact of possible solutions and decisions.

The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients (Sackett et al., 1996, p. 71).

A tool for analyzing process dispersion (American Society for Quality, 2022a). It is also referred to as the “Ishikawa diagram" and "cause and effect diagram". The diagram illustrates the main causes and subcauses leading to an effect (symptom).

A rigorous assessment process designed to identify potential and actual influences on the progress and effectiveness of implementation efforts (Stetler et al., 2006).

A framework that allows for formative evaluation to occur throughout a change effort in a rapid way.

A single, concise, pictorial, and visual summary of the main findings of an article (Elsevier, n.d.).

A person or organization listed in PHIPA that, as a result of his, her or its power or duties or work set out in PHIPA, has custody or control of personal health information (Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2015a, p. 7).

The scientific study of methods to promote the systematic uptake of research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine practice, and, hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care (Eccles & Mittman, 2006).

An applied science that emphasizes innovation, rapid-cycle testing in the field, and spread in order to generate learning about what changes, in which contexts, produce improvements (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2022c).

An active, intentional, and continuous process to address inequities in power and privilege, and build a respectful and diverse community that ensures welcoming spaces and opportunities to flourish for all (The University of British Columbia, n.d.).

The governance or stewardship of data itself, and the processes that are needed in order to implement Indigenous control over Indigenous data (Carrol, Rodriguez-Lonebear, & Martinez, 2019).

The right of Indigenous Peoples to own, control, and use Indigenous data (Rainie et al., 2019).

First Nations, Inuit, and Métis (Constitution Acts, 1867).

(1) Information and knowledge about the environment, lands, skies, resources, and non-humans with which they have relations; (2) Information about Indigenous persons such as administrative, census, health, social, commercial, and corporate; and (3) Information and knowledge about Indigenous Peoples as collectives, including traditional and cultural information, oral histories, ancestral and clan knowledge, cultural sites, and stories, belongings (Carroll et al., 2020, p. 3).

An overabundance of information – some accurate and some not – that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it (Pan American Health Organization, 2020, p. 2).

Visual/graphical depiction of information.

Data that is processed, interpreted, organized, structured, and presented to make it meaningful.

Ongoing and authentic partnerships where researchers and knowledge users are equal partners in a mutually beneficial research project.

The middle people or intermediaries who facilitate interactions between knowledge creators and next users - or researchers and decision makers.

Individuals who create new knowledge. Most commonly, knowledge creators are researchers.

An active “make it happen” process to communicate knowledge by targeting, tailoring, and packaging the message for a particular target audience.

A collaboration involving regular sharing of information, ideas, and experience between those who generate knowledge and those who might put the knowledge to use (Reardon et al., 2006).

A dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and ethically sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products, and strengthen the health care system (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, 2012, p. 1).

The synthesis, exchange, and application of knowledge by relevant stakeholders to accelerate the benefits of global and local innovation in strengthening health systems and improving people’s health (World Health Organization, 2005, p. 2).

The many activities that contribute to the relational, iterative, and context-sensitive process of moving of knowledge to action, including the synthesis, dissemination, exchange, and application of knowledge.

The potential audience of created knowledge.

A common tool used in program and intervention planning, implementation, and evaluation to visually depict processes, or chains of events, including activities and expected outcomes.

Factors that are structural, legal, regulatory or economic conditions that are often beyond the influence of a specific individual or an organization itself (Smith et al., 2019).

A formal process in which health care providers work together with patients, families, and care providers to ensure accurate and comprehensive medication information is communicated consistently across transitions of care (Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada, n.d.). It requires a systematic and comprehensive review of all the medications a patient is taking to ensure that medications being added, changed, or discontinued are carefully evaluated. It is a component of medication management and will inform and enable prescribers to make the most appropriate prescribing decisions for the patient.

Factors that are at an institutional level.

This is data about data, including the definitions and descriptions about the data, and makes finding and working with data easier.

The knowledge and skills required to extract and create meaningful documentation that will enable the correct usage and interpretation of the data (Statistics Canada, 2020). This includes the documentation of metadata which is the underlying definitions and descriptions about the data.

Factors that are at the individual level.

A pattern of shared basic assumptions learned by a group as it solved its problems of external adaptation and internal integration, which has worked well enough to be considered valid and therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think and feel in relation to those problems (Schein, 2010).

A shared psychological state in which organizational members feel committed to implementing an organizational change and confident in their collective abilities to do so (Weiner, 2009).

A four-step process for quality improvement (American Society for Quality, 2022a). In the first step (Plan), a way to effect improvement is developed. In the second step (Do), the plan is carried out. In the third step (Study), a study takes place between what was predicted and what was observed in the previous step. In the last step (Act), action should be taken to correct or improve the process.

Identifiable health information collected on an individual by an organization on behalf of a health information custodian (either orally, documented on paper, or electronically).

Data about an “identifiable individual” (Government of Canada Office of the Privacy Commissioner, 2018). It is information that on its own, or combined with other pieces of data, can identify you as an individual such as demographic information (e.g., age, sex, financial information, race, ethnicity, social insurance number, etc.).

Communication that an audience can understand the first time they read or hear it (Wicklund & Ramos, 2009, p.178). It is clear and concise, and uses short sentences and simple words. It keeps to the facts and is easy to read and understand. Plain language is simple and direct but not simplistic or patronizing plain language communication.

A synopsis of research findings written in an easily understandable way, so that even a lay audience would grasp the content (Gudi et al., 2021, p. 1).

A research piece focusing on a specific policy issue that provides clear recommendations for policy makers (Scotten, 2011).

Processes within health organizations that use data on the people they serve to:
1. Measure health status, unmet health and social needs, and health care experiences and outcomes;
2. Group patients or community members according to health and social and demographic characteristics, health care use, or likelihood of needing health care in the future;
3. Proactively design and advocate for services and policies that promote health, prevent disease, reduce inequities, and improve health care outcomes; and
4. Implement changes and evaluate whether they are leading to improved health or health care outcomes in a population (Primary Health Care Performance Initiative, 2018; Social Care Institute for Excellence, 2018; Waddell, Reid, et al., 2019).

When personal health information is collected, used, or disclosed without authorization (Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2018).

A risk management tool used to identify the actual or potential effects that a proposed or existing information system, technology, program, process, or other activity may have on an individual’s privacy.

The right of an individual to control the collection, use, disclosure, and retention of their personal information.

Being able to communicate concerns, express questions, provide ideas, or admit mistakes without fear of negative consequences such as punishment, humiliation, or damage to career or status (Javed et al., 2017).

An approach that considers what works for whom, in what circumstances, in what respects, and how (Pawson & Tilley, 2004).

The proportional participation at all levels of an institution (The University of British Columbia, n.d.).

The distribution of resources in order to close equity gaps (The University of British Columbia, n.d.).

Administration of emergency measures to sustain or restore life (Davis, 2021).

Graphs of data over time and one of the most important tools for assessing the effectiveness of change (Institute for Healthcare Improvement, 2017).

The tools and techniques we use to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of personal information.

A method that provides organizations tools to improve the capability of their business processes (American Society for Quality, 2022b). This increase in performance and decrease in process variation helps lead to defect reduction and improvement in profits, employee morale, and quality of products or services.

Individuals, organizations, or communities in which next users and researchers are situated and that may be indirectly affected by research (Jull et al., 2019).

The knowledge and skills required to describe key points of interest in statistical information (i.e., data that has been analyzed) (Statistics Canada, 2020). This includes identifying the desired outcome of the presentation, identifying the audience's needs and level of familiarity with the subject, establishing the context, and selecting effective visualizations.

A process of evaluating a program’s or intervention’s impact or efficacy through careful examination of program design and management (Frey, 2018).

A framework that allows for evaluation at the end of an implementation.

Situating knowledge procedures and users in a system of knowledge that is responsive, adaptive, and unpredictable (Graham et al., 2006).

A group of individuals with interdependent tasks and a shared responsibility of outcomes (Cohen & Bailey, 1997).

The transition from basic laboratory research (e.g., animal and basic research to identify disease mechanisms), to applications to human health and clinical settings (e.g., human clinical and efficacy studies), and finally, to evidence-based practice guidelines (e.g., effectiveness, dissemination, and implementation research) (Zoellner et al., 2015).

Handling or dealing with personal health information (Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, 2015a).