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Research collaboration

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Introduction

Isn't all research collaborative? Why a separate course on research collaboration?

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'Research collaboration' is one of those terms that is widely used, implicitly understood but difficult to define. The members of a research team collaborate with one another. Teams working together as part of a research group also collaborate. Yes, research by definition is built on the premise that researchers should cooperate and work together to advance knowledge. So why a course on research collaboration?

Collaboration, as discussed in this course, describes situations in which independent researchers, teams or groups not only cooperate but join together for a period of time to pursue common research interests. In doing so, they still retain their independence and as a result of this they need to think carefully about the goals of the collaboration and how the collaboration fits with their own particular interests. The benefits of collaboration are significant but there are also complications and risks that should not be ignored.

In the following video, the course author, Nick Steneck, provides some personal thoughts on collaboration as an introduction to this course. Click 'Play' to start the video.

In the following interview, the course author, Nick Steneck, provides some personal thoughts on collaboration as an introduction to this course.

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"During their doctoral research study, respondents work alone...

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Introduction to the course

Professor Nick Steneck
Director of the Research Ethics and Integrity Program of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan

If someone had asked me ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, 'Why don't you write a course on research collaboration?', it would have seemed like a strange activity to me. I'm a historian by training, and historians, we work by ourselves. I don't collaborate, or I didn't collaborate when I first started doing research. And when I collaborated, I collaborated mostly with people who were of like minds - historians, historians of science, which I am - and worked with them. And then I ran across a project, it was a kind of a strange project. In today's terms it would be, 'Are cell phones dangerous?' It was the biological effects of microwaves. I found that I needed to work at that point with a physicist who actually understood them and the physiologist, and that was really my first research collaboration.

I learnt a lot of things. I learnt that it took more time than I anticipated. I learnt that as the leader of the project I really had to put in the time to make sure my collaboration stayed together. My collaborators didn't always do what I expected them to do, but it was extremely rewarding and we got a couple of very good articles published out of it. And then after that I began to work internationally, and that opened up a whole other world. It is very rewarding to work with researchers in different fields, in different countries, in different sectors, private sector, public sector, and so on and so forth. It also can be very complicated.

You're going to hear again and again in this course, 'Think ahead. Prepare. Think of the consequences. Make sure everyone's on board. Talk with your colleagues, talk with your collaborators.' We'll give you many examples of how to do that, why to do that, what the rules and regulations are. But in the end it will come down to you, if you had a collaboration, to make sure you're on top of your project to get out the rewards that you ought to. Collaborative research, as you're going to hear and read, is extremely rewarding and it's almost necessary in some fields today, but you have to be prepared for it. That's what this course is all about.

Some researchers are comfortable working on their own, engaging in scholarly discussions with other colleagues but not entering into formal collaborations. Others find collaboration challenging but rewarding. Whether or not you are anxious to get involved in collaboration, this course will develop your understanding of the potential benefits of collaborative research, as well as highlighting some of the potential issues that might arise along the way.

Why collaborate?

There are different reasons for engaging in collaborative research, some of which might be more relevant to you than others.

In the following activity, you will be presented with a number of possible reasons for starting or joining a collaboration. In each case, click the item at the top and then click the column in which you think it belongs.

In the following section, you will be presented with a number of possible reasons for starting or joining a collaboration. As you work through these, consider if each is a good reason to collaborate, a bad reason to collaborate or whether you are not sure.

PROGRAMME | Professional Skills for Research Leaders
COURSE | Research collaboration
MODULE | Orientation
PAGE TITLE | Introduction

Item 1 of 10:

All the funding agencies I work with are stressing collaboration. So if I collaborate, it'll increase my chances of getting funding.

Item 2 of 10:

I don't have access to some of the data I need to do a comprehensive analysis. Finding a collaborator with the right resources would help solve this problem.

Item 3 of 10:

Working with highly respected researchers in my field will get me more recognition and strengthen my credentials.

Item 4 of 10:

Working with collaborators might expand the scope of my work and take my research in new directions.

Item 5 of 10:

My research is not progressing as planned and I am running out of ideas. I would benefit from a collaborator's input.

Item 6 of 10:

I like to travel and it would be great to have my travel expenses paid.

Item 7 of 10:

Adding more co-authors could increase the number of citations my publications receive.

Item 8 of 10:

My team doesn't have the equipment needed to do some analyses, so I need a collaborator who has the capacity to do these analyses for me.

Item 9 of 10:

Some of the key sources for this research project are in a foreign language. My current research team lacks the necessary language skills but a collaborator could solve this problem.

Item 10 of 10:

Joining an international collaboration is the only way to get access to the equipment and resources I need.

There are no right answers here. Your categorisations depend on your own personal goals, your priorities and your field of research. Collaboration is essential in some fields and less common in others. What are good reasons for one researcher might not be good reasons for another.

Guiding priorities

While there are no hard and fast rules for initiating or joining a collaboration, there are two key factors to keep in mind when you weigh your options: your research and your career.

Your research: Entering into a collaboration for the wrong reasons could take you down unproductive paths that will ultimately weaken your reputation as a researcher. Keep in mind that success rests heavily on the quality of your research. If a collaboration will not advance your research, it might not be worth undertaking.
Your career: Collaboration takes time. The time needed to cultivate a relationship with a well-established researcher might be better spent working with your own team. Make sure your career plans and your collaboration plans complement each other.

Download

Click here to download the portfolio document for this course. This provides a...

Trade-offs are inevitable in collaborations. You and your collaborators are independent partners pursuing common interests. A good collaboration is one that successfully recognises and manages the common and competing interests.

Think of collaboration as a journey you are undertaking with a fellow traveller who shares your interests but has other interests as well. This course is designed to help you plan properly so you both enjoy and learn from your journey. The portfolio document will support your learning throughout the course (see the 'Download' on the right).

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At the beginning of each screen there will be an icon showing the approximate time it will take to complete the core content. These estimates include time to consider scenarios and interviews, and complete activities in the central section of the screen, but not to complete the additional portfolio activities, which have their own durations.

Please note that these time estimates are indicative only; every individual will be different. As you work through the course, gauge whether you are working more or less quickly than the estimates suggest, and modify your expectations accordingly.

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Throughout the course you will find boxes at the end of the screen, including quotations, portfolio activities, documents to download, useful advice and key terms. These are designed to supplement the course material and encourage you to study and reflect further. Do take the time to explore them.

Statistics

"During their doctoral research study, respondents work alone to a great extent (90%); but 82% collaborate to some extent within their broad discipline, 53% collaborate across other disciplines, and 69% communicate with others beyond the research community at least to some extent. 86% of respondents felt their doctoral study involved the development of cross-disciplinary skills and knowledge at least to some extent."

(Vitae, 2010)

Download

You can download the portfolio document for this course here. This provides a space for you to keep your notes as you work through the material.

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