Report on Collaborative Research for Postgraduate Students
Abstract
The report seeks to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of collaboration in research. The advantages include flexibility, achievement of positive research outcomes and improved access to resources required for research activity: The disadvantages include the risk of liability and the pressure of establishing efficient communication systems. The report recommends for the department to come up with best approaches to collaborative research.
Introduction
Many new researchers often have the fear of collaboration when doing research. It stems from naivety and the fear that they would have nothing to contribute to the collaboration. It has, however, been proved that collaboration is an essential aspect of research, and seasoned researchers view it as a necessity (Jones et al. 1998 p. 241). It is, therefore, necessary for the graduate program to pursue this collaboration policy, as an effort towards the preparation of students to cope with the real world. Collaboration in research needs to be viewed as an investment. It is through such an approach that the benefits and the disadvantages of adopting it can be clearly conceptualized (Schwartz 2011, para. 1).
Collaboration in research has increased over the years. Literature review on this topic shows that cooperation and especially international has increased, and this can be explained to be a result of the benefits achieved. Katsouyanni (2008, p. 4) analyzes the trend when it comes to international collaborations. His analysis of international publications made in 1985/86 and 1995/96 revealed an increase in international collaborations. The data from 10 countries is given below:
(Courtesy of Katsouyanni 2008, p. 4)
The first advantage of collaborative research is flexibility. Multiple models can be adopted when collaborating. It gives the room for students to maximize on their strong areas while being helped to deal with their weak areas in research. This form of flexibility provides room for innovation among the students. Flexibility also results to successful engagement of not only the students but also their instructors. The students will be more confident to look for insight into difficult areas. Also, collaborative research breeds the skill of consensus in decision-making, an important tool for success in doing professional research (Katsouyanni 2008, p 6).
Another advantage that comes with collaborative research is the promise of positive research outcomes. These findings are viewed from different perspectives. First, collaborative research ensures more speed, efficiency and productivity in research. It arises from the fact that more manpower is available to deal with the research procedures. Another outcome has increased the focus of the students (Jones et al. 1998 p. 243). Given that research activities are shared, partners have the sense of responsibility, and this improves the focus on the research goals. Another result is the reduction in the number of mistakes made during the research.
Disadvantages of research collaboration
Despite the benefits that are realized from a collaborative effort in research, there are certain disadvantages that scholars have identified. The biggest disadvantage is liability tied to the damages that arise from a research project. Liability, to this end, can be because of wrongdoings or negligence on the part of one of the partners (Ori.hhs.gov n.d. Collaborative Research). When this happens, both parties are equally responsible to the public eye. Issues such as plagiarism and research misconduct by one of the partners can result in the invalidation of a study.
Another major disadvantage of collaboration in research is the focus placed on communication. When researchers work together, it becomes necessary for both parties to engage each other regularly to ensure that both are on the same page. It may be cumbersome to keep on updating partners on the progress or research. Besides, the need to organize meetings or apply other forms of communication between partners may be difficult and result in adverse outcomes of the research process. Without proper communication, collaborative research may lead to authorship disputes, which negatively influence the general research process (Schwartz 2011, para. 1).
Conclusions
Literature review on the issue of collaboration in research reveals some advantages and disadvantages. Collaboration has the advantage of being flexible, and this means that partners can improve research outcomes by selecting their preferable models of collaboration. Another advantage of collaborative research is the kind of outcomes assured, such as efficiency, speed, more focus and internal evaluation. Through collaboration, more resources, whether financial, expertise or workforce is availed. There are, however, threats that come with collaboration in research. The liability that is tied to research is one major disadvantage since the repercussions of any wrongdoings or negligence by a partner are equally shared. Another disadvantage lies in the focus placed on communication. The success of collaborative research lies on how effective communication systems are. It is, however, not always easy to maintain effective communication systems, thus, the threat of the research not being properly carried out. In choosing the way forwards as appertains collaborative research, the institution needs to take into consideration these advantages and disadvantages and ensure that the academic outcomes of the students are not compromised.
Recommendations
The benefits of collaborative research as shown in the report are valuable. As shown in the analysis of international trends, most researchers are edging towards international collaborations. The institution, therefore, needs to put in place this policy since it will prepare the postgraduate students to enter into the professional research outside the school.
The department needs to come up with the best approaches in collaborative research, with every student well informed of what is expected of them.
The students need to be advised on the importance of communication to ensure that collaborative effort in research occurs smoothly, with the research goals realized.
To root out the issue of liability that arises from negligence, the students should be informed on how to divide and share responsibilities in the research process.
In designing research partnerships, the students need to be allowed to highlight mutual expectations, which will show how collaborators will individually contribute to the success of the study.
Bibliography
Jones, S.L., Myers, S.L., Biordi, D.L. and Shepherd, J.B., 1998. Advantages and disadvantages of collaborative research: a university and behavioral health care provider's experience. Archives of psychiatric nursing, 12(5), pp.241-246.
Katsouyanni, K., 2008. Collaborative research: accomplishments & potential.Environ Health, 7(3).
Ori.hhs.gov, (n.d.). Collaborative Research: Introduction | ORI - The Office of Research Integrity. [online] Available at: https://ori.hhs.gov/education/products/rcradmin/topics/colscience/open.shtml [Accessed 19 Jan. 2016].
Schwartz, J. (2011). Silence is not Golden: Making Collaborations Work | ORI - The Office of Research Integrity. [online] Ori.hhs.gov. Available at: http://ori.hhs.gov/silence-not-golden-making-collaborations-work [Accessed 19 Jan. 2016].
