Abstract
Although a substantial part of scientific research is collaborative and increasing globalization will probably lead to its increase, very few studies actually investigate the advantages, disadvantages, experiences and lessons learned from collaboration. In environmental epidemiology interdisciplinary collaboration is essential and the contrasting geographical patterns in exposure and disease make multi-location projects essential. This paper is based on a presentation given at the Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Paris 2006, and is attempting to initiate a discussion on a framework for studying collaborative research. A review of the relevant literature showed that indeed collaborative research is rising, in some countries with impressive rates. However, there are substantial differences between countries in their outlook, need and respect for collaboration. In many situations collaborative publications receive more citations than those based on national authorship. The European Union is the most important host of collaborative research, mainly driven by the European Commission through the Framework Programmes. A critical assessment of the tools and trends of collaborative networks under FP6, showed that there was a need for a critical revision, which led to changes in FP7. In conclusion, it is useful to study the characteristics of collaborative research and set targets for the future. The added value for science and for the researchers involved may be assessed. The motivation for collaboration could be increased in the more developed countries. Particular ways to increase the efficiency and interaction in interdisciplinary and intercultural collaboration may be developed. We can work towards "the principles of collaborative research" in Environmental Epidemiology.
Highlights
Collaborative research may be conceptualized as a research effort done by research groups from different disciplines, either belonging to the same country or to more than one country or it may be a parallel research effort by groups from different countries applying the same protocol across various locations or a combination of the above
In spite of this reality, in scientific journals with environmental epidemiology topics very little is found on formal discussion and assessment of collaborative research
This work has mainly focused on international coauthorship of scientific publications, which is hypothesized to reflect to a certain extent international collaboration
Summary
Collaborative research may be conceptualized as a research effort done by research groups from different disciplines (interdisciplinary collaboration), either belonging to the same country (national) or to more than one country (international) or it may be a parallel research effort by groups from different countries applying the same protocol across various locations or a combination of the above. Increasing globalization, characterized by the facility in communications and exchange of information, is already followed and is likely to continue by an impressive increase in the number, size and diversity of collaborative research projects. In air pollution or meteorological factors) between scientists working in exposure assessment and epidemiologists and the second reason is that through collaborative efforts researchers are able to study larger contrasts in exposure and health profiles between various geographical areas [2]. In spite of this reality, in scientific journals with environmental epidemiology topics very little is found on formal discussion and assessment of collaborative research. This paper, which is based on a talk delivered at the Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Paris 2006, is attempting to initiate a discussion on a framework for studying collaborative research
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