Journal Article

Across the Great Divide: A Systematic Literature Review to Address the Gap Between Theory and Practice

Howes, Michael, Nalau, Johanna, Arteaga, Estefania, Biesbroek, Robbert

2024

Overview

An unresolved dilemma facing many disciplines is how theory and practice can better work together to enhance the decision-making processes on the ground. This widely-known theory-practice gap often contributes to the misdiagnosis of problems and undermines the effectiveness of responses. Despite decades of research into why this gap remains, there is still a continuing and heated debate as to why it exists and how it could be resolved. This article examines the theory-practice gap through a systematic review that draws insights across diverse disciplines such as health, science, governance, and business. It builds a conceptual framework based on the findings, allowing for the analysis of the various drivers and solutions for addressing the gap. The findings show that to resolve this gap is necessary to change our perspective of the gap and understand it as a bilateral issue, where both theory and practice play a role in creating the gap. Thus, solutions to the gap need to follow a cyclical and integrative approach. As the gap may never be fully closed, the framework provides the tools to respond to it whenever it arises. Future research will be required to empirically test and advance the framework. Plain language summary This study aims to tackle the persistent problem known as the “theory-practice gap,” which has puzzled various fields, including public health, education, nursing, and many others, for decades. The gap refers to the challenge of applying theoretical knowledge to real-world situations effectively. Despite much research, the causes and solutions for this gap remain unclear. The study takes a multidisciplinary approach to answer three key questions: 1) What is the theory-practice gap, and what does it involve? 2) What causes this gap? 3) How can we address it? By answering these questions, the study creates a theoretical framework to understand the underlying issues of the gap. The review identifies various drivers that hinder the integration of theory and practice and evaluates their significance. It also suggests an innovative model centered on learning and reflection, emphasizing that theory and practice are interdependent. This model suggests that practical situations can generate theory through reflection and that theory can influence and improve practice. The study’s results provide a holistic approach to addressing the gap, integrating perspectives from multiple disciplines. It also highlights the need to develop tools for assessing the gap, particularly in knowledge translation. While this study is a crucial first step in accumulating and integrating knowledge about the gap, future research should aim to validate its findings among practitioners from different sectors and regions. Understanding and addressing the theory-practice gap is crucial in fields like climate change and ensures that theoretical knowledge can be effectively applied in practical contexts. This study offers a promising starting point for further research and practical solutions to bridge this persistent divide.

• Publisher: SAGE Publications,SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC,SAGE Publishing
• Subject: Decision making / Frame analysis / Governance / Integrative approach / Literature reviews / Misdiagnosis / Organizational effectiveness / Systematic review / Theory / Theory Practice Relationship