PHGEN
The idea behind the term “applicability“ is related to the general idea of adaptation because the application of foreign HTA reports is only possible if an adaptation is possible and worth the effort.
Application as a Task
We would like to point out the key focus of the term by referring to computer sciences and the term “application software”. According to a definition “Application software is a defined subclass of software that employs the capabilities of a computer directly to a task that the user wishes to perform”. This should be contrasted with system software which is involved in integrating a computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the performance of tasks that benefit the user. The term application refers to both the application software and its implementation.
To come back to HTA, the importance of applicability is the underlining of the wishes of the user. Thus, applicability has a different notion as the focal point is opposite to the adaptation. Adaptation calls for a general standardisation beyond the users` wishes. Applicability is reached if HTA reports are “open” to the wishes of users.
Application as a Need
The overall need for applicability is obvious and the conceptual contrast to the term of adaptation will melt away if the general standardisation acknowledges the individual need of a user. Thus, we feel the term applicability must be defined in the context. For HTA reports we should draw a distinction between the application of a HTA report as a science base as a support for an appraisal (with the new user drawing a conclusion) and as the appraisal itself (in the sense of an adoption).