Context/setting	Types of evidence preferred	Communication formats used
Researchers
Universities; private sector; discipline oriented; long term time frames	Original research; peer reviewed; scientific > qualitative; basic > applied research	Academic journals; academic meetings; internet
Clinical
Community practice; clinical management; patient oriented; short term time frames	Practical summaries; clinical applications; patient preferences; applied > basic research	Colleagues/conferences; summaries/reviews; audit/feedback; professional journals
Administrative
Public agencies; programme oriented; population oriented; varying time frames	Practical summaries; programme evaluations; cost effectiveness; applied > basic research	Summaries/reviews; personal contacts; conferences/meetings; internet, journals, media
Legislative
Elected fora; problem oriented; responsive to crises; varying time frames	Problem summaries; policy solutions; cost effectiveness; anecdotal > scientific	Staff briefings; personal contacts; polls; constituents; media