Barriers to collaboration
Personal Ambition
Researchers often seek peer recognition, financial gain, supervisor recognition, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and pride because these factors can directly improve an individual's standing in the scientific community.
Competition
The scientific field has created a environment of innovation, but also one of intense competition. Researchers spend much of their careers trying to publish because publication paves the way to academic promotions and research awards. In the perspective of researchers, collaboration leaves them vulnerable to scooping, or data theft, and can result in a decrease in publication opportunities.
Publications are also commonly used to rank individual scientists, institutions, and universities. For a young scientist applying for the position of a professorship, the list of publications is often the most important criterion to determine who will get the position. Consequently, in the horse race towards publication, researchers often forgo collaboration.
Researchers often seek peer recognition, financial gain, supervisor recognition, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and pride because these factors can directly improve an individual's standing in the scientific community.
Competition
The scientific field has created a environment of innovation, but also one of intense competition. Researchers spend much of their careers trying to publish because publication paves the way to academic promotions and research awards. In the perspective of researchers, collaboration leaves them vulnerable to scooping, or data theft, and can result in a decrease in publication opportunities.
Publications are also commonly used to rank individual scientists, institutions, and universities. For a young scientist applying for the position of a professorship, the list of publications is often the most important criterion to determine who will get the position. Consequently, in the horse race towards publication, researchers often forgo collaboration.
How to overcome these barriers
Define Goals and Responsibilities
As part of the planning process, researchers should identify the interests of those involved, facilitating open conversation about possible topics. Drawing from the perspectives of each individual, the group can then define the objective of their project and delegate roles within the group. Understanding the group dynamic helps promote participation from each team member.
Develop Authorship Criteria
According to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, an author to a publication must have made "substantial contribution to the design of the project, data acquisition, and/or analysis of the project results and outcomes, and to the production, revision, and final approval of the scholarly products." Furthermore, the order of authors reflects the level of contribution.
Thus, researchers need to discuss criteria for authorship throughout the duration of collaboration. If all the researchers contributed equally, the group might consider rotating first authorship on different parts of the project so that all contributors can receive due recognition.
Meet Regularly
A 2006 study by Academic Medicine showed that researchers were reluctant to share with individuals they were not familiar with. There is also evidence that distance between researching partners decreases productivity. Thus, collaborations, especially those that involve individuals at other institutions, require regular meetings to remain productive. These meetings, in turn, can lead to a renewed sense of commitment to collaborative efforts.
Take Advantage of Technology
Project management platforms like BaseCamp and Zoho Projects serve as a communication hub for researchers. On these websites, collaborators can arrange for meeting dates and assigned tasks to be posted and automatic email reminders to be sent out.
As part of the planning process, researchers should identify the interests of those involved, facilitating open conversation about possible topics. Drawing from the perspectives of each individual, the group can then define the objective of their project and delegate roles within the group. Understanding the group dynamic helps promote participation from each team member.
Develop Authorship Criteria
According to the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors, an author to a publication must have made "substantial contribution to the design of the project, data acquisition, and/or analysis of the project results and outcomes, and to the production, revision, and final approval of the scholarly products." Furthermore, the order of authors reflects the level of contribution.
Thus, researchers need to discuss criteria for authorship throughout the duration of collaboration. If all the researchers contributed equally, the group might consider rotating first authorship on different parts of the project so that all contributors can receive due recognition.
Meet Regularly
A 2006 study by Academic Medicine showed that researchers were reluctant to share with individuals they were not familiar with. There is also evidence that distance between researching partners decreases productivity. Thus, collaborations, especially those that involve individuals at other institutions, require regular meetings to remain productive. These meetings, in turn, can lead to a renewed sense of commitment to collaborative efforts.
Take Advantage of Technology
Project management platforms like BaseCamp and Zoho Projects serve as a communication hub for researchers. On these websites, collaborators can arrange for meeting dates and assigned tasks to be posted and automatic email reminders to be sent out.