ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Implementation research

Implementation research is like a special type of detective work where grown-ups study how to make things work better in real life. Let's say your school wants to make sure all kids get healthy lunches. Implementation research would help figure out what needs to happen to make that plan work.

First, the research detectives would talk to lots of people such as teachers, cafeteria workers, and parents to find out what's already happening with school lunches. They would ask questions like, "What foods do you serve? How do you prepare them? Do the kids like them?" Then, they would try different ideas, like adding more fruits and veggies to the menu or having taste tests with the kids to see what they like.

After trying different things, the research detectives would look at their data to see what worked and what didn't. They might discover that the kids really love it when the lunchroom has colorful decorations or when they get to choose their own veggies. That way, the school can use that information to make changes and make sure that all the kids get healthy and delicious lunches every day.

In the end, implementation research helps improve plans and ideas so that they work better in the real world. It's like figuring out a puzzle to make things work just right!