Table 1 Expectations for manuscripts that fall within the scope of Implementation Science and Implementation Science Communications
| Â | General expectations | Specific for Implementation Science | Specific for Implementation Science Communications |
|---|---|---|---|
Exploratory research | |||
 Determinants studies focused on exploring barriers and enablers to implementation | Theory / framework informed data collection and analysis with clear contribution to what is already known | Single studies not considered | Descriptive analyses or narrower disciplinary or clinical focus more likely to be considered as a Short Report |
Systematic reviews with broad applicability | |||
 Development, pilot and feasibility studies | Focus on implementation strategies | Not considered | Comprehensive reports of strategy development |
Should submitted prior to any reporting of effectiveness | Descriptive analysis more likely to be considered as a Short Report | ||
Evidence synthesis | |||
 Systematic reviews | Recent systematic literature search (within 12 months of submission) | Analytical depth and broad generalizability | Descriptive analysis or narrower focus |
 Scoping reviews | Recent systematic literature search (within 12 months of submission) | Convincing rationale and demonstrable gap in the literature identified | Descriptive analysis or narrower focus |
 Realist reviews | Focus on implementation processes or strategies | An initial programme theory is developed and systematic steps are taken to develop, refute or refine the initial programme theory | Reviews with narrow focus |
 Critical interpretive synthesis | Focus on developing new theory or significant adaptations to existing ones to explain a specific issue or phenomena such as, the adverse impacts of implementation | Convincing rationale with a clear dynamic, recursive and reflexive critique of the literature | Convincing rationale with a clear dynamic, recursive and reflexive critique of the literature |
 Other systematic reviews of theories and frameworks | Recent systematic literature search (within 12 months of submission) | Convincing rationale and presentation of evidence that goes beyond simple descriptions of application. Reflection on what it means to apply well, what insights gained, and limitations of the theory or framework itself | Convincing rationale and presentation of evidence that goes beyond simple descriptions of application. Reflection on what it means to apply well, what insights gained, and limitations of the theory or framework itself |
Original research | |||
 Outcome evaluations | Focus on observable effects of implementation strategies | Randomized controlled trials and related large scale quasi-experimental designs | Broader range of evaluation designs including non-randomised and smaller scale quasi-experimental designs |
 Process evaluations | Related to implementation strategies and explain and contextualize the findings of main study | Theoretically informed with analytical depth and broad generalizability | Descriptive analysis or narrower focus |
Process evaluations of complex clinical or public health interventions, with a strong implementation science component considered on a case-by-case basis | |||
 Economic evaluations | Focus on efficiency of implementation strategies | Cost-effectiveness, cost utility and cost–benefit studies | Broader range of economic designs, including cost analyses |
 Qualitative and mixed-methods studies | Chosen method matches with focus of the study | Orientation on theory development, use of rigorous methods, clear integration and interpretation of data sources | Studies that relate to existing theories, frameworks or concepts, seeking to guide future empirical enquiry or generating insights but with narrower focus |
Yield new theoretical insights applicable to a wide range of settings | |||
 Quantitative observational studies | Chosen method matches with focus of the study | Study is guided by theory, use of advanced data-analysis | Broader range of designs, including more pragmatic approaches |
 Validation studies | Comprehensive report of development and validation of measures | New measures with rigorous psychometric analysis | Translated or adapted measures |
 Protocols | Received within 12 months of ethics approval and funded via the competitive review process of an established funding body | Multicentre randomized or quasi experimental designs | Broader range of study designs |
We do not consider protocols for systematic reviews or publish protocols for Type I Hybrid studies | Prospective registration | Prospective registration | |
Other types | |||
 Capacity and capability building in implementation science | Includes evaluation or other empirical research | Programs of substantial size and continuity; longitudinal evaluation | Broader range of evaluations of educational programs |
 Methodology | Demonstration of methodological development | Novel methods demonstrated through concrete examples which relate to the field of implementation science | New, adapted or refined methods demonstrated through concrete examples which relate to the field of implementation science |
 Theories and frameworks | Convincing rationale, based on comprehensive literature review | New, elaborated theories and frameworks of broad applicability | New concepts and theoretical perspectives, and refinement to frameworks with broad or narrow applicability |
 Commentaries | Well-embedded in the implementation science literature | Potentially high impact and convey new or important ideas on implementation science | Contribution with moderate impact or narrower focus |
Pre-submission enquiry to Editors in Chief essential | |||
 Debate | Based on comprehensive review of relevant literature | Potentially high impact on the field because of innovation or priority | Contribution with moderate impact or narrower focus |
 Short reports | Comprehensive description despite shortness | - | - |