Research collaboration
ThemesResearch collaboration
What is this about?
Most critical scientific questions or innovative technologies can often be solved by collaboration among teams of researchers with diverse backgrounds. The fusion of different fields can enable the achievement of incredible goals. Collaborative research can be defined as research that involves coordination among researchers, institutions, organizations, and/or communities. Collaboration can be classified as voluntary cooperation, consortium, association, merger, and fusion, and can occur at five different levels: within a discipline, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, transdisciplinary, or national or international. [1]
- ↑ Bansal, S., Mahendiratta, S., Kumar, S., Sarma, P., Prakash, A., & Medhi, B. (2019). Collaborative research in modern era: Need and challenges. Indian journal of pharmacology, 51(3), 137–139. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijp.IJP_394_19
Why is this important?
Much of scientific work happens through collaboration. But collaboration can also lead to conflict when the roles of different collaborators are unclear or when expectations are not met. Laying clear ground rules and having an open discussion about expectations helps the collaboration run smoothly. [1]
Collaboration promotes the building of effective communication and partnerships, and also provides equal opportunity among team members. It honors and respects each member's individual and organizational style. Collaboration also promotes ethical behavior by maintaining honesty, integrity, equity, transparency and confidentiality. [2]- ↑ https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/connections/best-practices-collaborating-research
- ↑ Bansal, S., Mahendiratta, S., Kumar, S., Sarma, P., Prakash, A., & Medhi, B. (2019). Collaborative research in modern era: Need and challenges. Indian journal of pharmacology, 51(3), 137–139. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijp.IJP_394_19
For whom is this important?
What are the best practices?
For successful collaboration it is necessary to [1]:
- Address mutual expectations. Each team member may have different expectations about their contribution and the recognition they will receive. If you discuss these expectations openly, it will be easier for each team member to contribute effectively to the project.
- Clearly divide and define who is responsible for what task. Similar to expectations, a clear division of labor makes each team member's role in the project clear. This facilitates conversations about authorship.
- Determine authorship. In a collaborative effort, it may appear that each person has a clear role. However, this assumption can lead to confusion and disagreement about initial authorship. Agree on authorship at the beginning of the project.
- Communicate frequently. Ensure open communication with the team. If you do not have a clear timeline or research goals, it can be easy to lose sight of each other.
- Access to data. Not all parties may have access to all data. A clear conversation at the beginning of the project is necessary to determine who will have access to what information.
- Collaboration in research also means a shared responsibility for the integrity of the research.
- ↑ https://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/connections/best-practices-collaborating-research
Željana Pućo contributed to this theme. Latest contribution was May 28, 2022
