Abstract: Examination of the research dissemination and utilization literature in the health care field has evolved from the study of the diffusion of innovations, to measuring the extent to which research evidence is used in clinical practice, to current studies which focus on determining the effectiveness of dissemination strategies in promoting the use of research evidence in health care policy and clinical decision-making. The purpose of this paper is to construct a comprehensive framework of research dissemination and utilization that is applicable to those in the policy, program management and clinical areas. The theoretical basis of this framework stems primarily from Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations. The framework described in this paper illustrates that the process of adoption of research evidence in the health care field is influenced by a variety of characteristics related to the individual, organization, environment and the innovation, as progression through the five stages of innovation, knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation and confirmation, occurs. The framework also integrates the concepts of research dissemination, evidence-based decision-making and research utilization, within Rogers' theory of the Diffusion of Innovations. During the discussion of each stage of the innovation adoption process, relevant literature from the diffusion of innovations, organizational management, decision-making, dissemination and the utilization fields is summarized. Finally, the paper concludes by discussing the potential uses of the framework as well as identifying areas within the research utilization process that are currently in need of additional research.