TABLE 3.

Contradictions Associated With Utilizing Embedded Implementation Science for Policy and Action

Attribute	Core Strategies of Implementation Science	Strategic Adjustments of Embedded Science	Contradictions Encountered by Embedded Implementation Science	Implications for Resolving Contradictions
Curation of knowledge	Publish results and disseminate findings to host agency and research audiences.	Develop knowledge-sharing mechanisms.	Science is disseminated by modes of communication that have limited currency among donors, decision makers, implementers, and managers.	Develop a multimethod knowledge management system for research advocacy,¹⁰⁵ and build participatory learning and exchanges into research operations.⁷¹^,⁷⁴
Sustainability	Recommend utilization of research findings in the course of end-of-project dissemination activities.	Collaboration of researchers and host agency counterparts on research utilization strategic planning.	Planning research utilization is challenged by the institutionalization of dysfunction. Failure is therefore more sustainable than improvement. Research results may contradict existing organizational norms and policies.	Utilize research phase 3 replication research to investigate the determinants of sustainability.

Attribute

Core Strategies of Implementation Science

Strategic Adjustments of Embedded Science

Contradictions Encountered by Embedded Implementation Science

Implications for Resolving Contradictions

Curation of knowledge

Publish results and disseminate findings to host agency and research audiences.

Develop knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

Science is disseminated by modes of communication that have limited currency among donors, decision makers, implementers, and managers.

Develop a multimethod knowledge management system for research advocacy,¹⁰⁵ and build participatory learning and exchanges into research operations.⁷¹^,⁷⁴

Sustainability

Recommend utilization of research findings in the course of end-of-project dissemination activities.

Collaboration of researchers and host agency counterparts on research utilization strategic planning.

Planning research utilization is challenged by the institutionalization of dysfunction. Failure is therefore more sustainable than improvement.

Research results may contradict existing organizational norms and policies.

Utilize research phase 3 replication research to investigate the determinants of sustainability.