While policy and practice should be informed by high quality evidence, there is an array of barriers and contexts that can impede this process. This article introduces the Cultures in Context Model of Research Use, which provides a conceptual framework explaining the relationships between research, policy and practice. The model includes six factors: organisational culture or climate; pragmatics; individual factors; sources of information; nature of the evidence; and linkage and exchange mechanisms. After describing the factors, the article uses the model to examine strategies being employed in five different Australian child welfare organizations.

This paper draws substantially from the Research Use in Australian Child and Family Welfare project, funded by the Australian Centre for Child Protection and undertaken in collaboration by th Centre and the National Child Protection Clearinghouse  The Australian Centre for Child Protection is funded by the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.

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