Table 3 Researchers and knowledge users’ views on factors that encouraged knowledge user collaboration on cancer health services research projects

1. Research team discusses roles at beginning of project^a

Participants recommended that in future health services research network projects an explicit discussion of researcher and knowledge user (KU) roles take place at the beginning of the project.

2. KUs have decisional authority within the organization to implement project results^a

While KU decisional authority was identified as important, not all KUs had such authority within their organization.

3. Researchers engage KUs throughout duration of project (e.g., via regular contact, checking in, meetings)^a

KUs preferred to be engaged throughout the study in contrast to collaborations where KUs are minimally engaged or engaged at the beginning and/or end of the project, but less throughout.

No discussion by researchers or KUs that KUs would take initiative to engage with researchers throughout the project.

4. Project goals align with organizational goals and priorities^a

Project goals may be important but they must align with the organization’s goals and priorities for results to be considered for implementation by the cancer system organization.