This publication is the second in a series of reports based on the work of the King's Fund Centre Nursing Development Units. It looks at the variety of approaches which have been taken by a number of NDUs around Britain to narrow the gap between research and practice. Six different models are reviewed, their strengths and weaknesses are discussed and the desired outcomes clarified alongside the resources requires to achieve them and the implications for those involved. A series of guidelines has been developed from this work to help to identify local strategies for change. The six models covered are: internal evaluation within the NDU team; the researcher as part of the NDU team; clinical fellows; unified roles; external consultants; and external researchers.