Categories: Research Activities

Implications vs. Recommendations in Research and Evaluation

This article was co-authored by 2026 Summer Placement Students Meron Afewerki & Ekeminiabasi Morgan.

Context

Writing the implications and recommendations section is an important component of a research and evaluation report, as it generally helps connect the study’s findings to future action and knowledge development (American Journal Experts, 2022). Although they may seem interchangeable,

Validating our Community Health Needs Assessment with the community

Over the past year, Access Alliance implemented a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) survey with the Rockcliffe-Smythe & Mount Dennis neighbourhoods. The survey covered important aspects that affect community health and well-being. Soon after publishing our CHNA report, we convened a community validation meeting to share the and gather community insights,

What gets measured gets improved – our annual client experience survey

This research-like activity is about understanding the client experience within Access Alliance’s primary care services. It focuses on gathering feedback from patients who visited one of the organization’s three main sites (Jane, College, and Danforth) or accessed care virtually between November 2025 and February 2026.  

Overview and context 

We operate within a community healthcare model defined by health equity and social inclusion,

Advancing health equity, strengthening attachment readiness, and improving mental health outcomes for Black children and youth

Advancing health equity through attachment readiness and systemic transformation

Access Alliance’s annual Community-Based Research Retreat Day in 2026 focused on advancing health equity, strengthening attachment readiness and systems of care, and improving mental health outcomes for Black children and youth community members.

In the morning, we focused on advancing health equity through attachment readiness and systemic transformation.

Evidence-driven equity: Turning community knowledge into healthier, fairer systems for immigrants and refugees

The 2026 Annual Research Impact Report of the Community-Based Research (CBR) and Evaluation Department at Access Alliance presents a compilation of our team’s scholarly contributions, methodological advancements, and initiatives from April 2025 to March 2026.

At Access Alliance we turn community knowledge into evidence, evidence into policy, and policy into systems that are healthier and fairer.

Community Knowledge, System Impact: A Decade of Research Leadership at Access Alliance

Introduction

As an organization dedicated to improving health outcomes for immigrants, refugees, and marginalized populations, Access Alliance recognizes that rigorous research rooted in lived experience is essential to building responsive, inclusive, and effective systems of care. This publication highlights the work we have undertaken over the past 10 years to strengthen evidence that informs policy,

Youth Service Needs Assessment of Selected Neighbourhoods in East York and Scarborough

Objectives

The objective of this needs assessment of youth services in East York and Scarborough was to establish a comprehensive understanding of the concerns, service requirements, and preferences of youth aged 16-24 years. The findings and implications are designed to guide the improvement and development of programs and services that promote optimal youth health and well-being.

Research in Action at the North American Refugee Health Conference 2025 

Conferences are spaces to showcase and celebrate our work. Done well, they are also spaces to connect with each other, to learn about each other’s work, in particular emerging and innovative ideas that might intersect with or inform our own work. 

Several Access Alliance staff recently attended and presented at the North American Refugee Health Conference 2025 in Niagara Falls.