Abstract
BackgroundThe analysis of scientific networks has been applied in health research to map and measure relationships between researchers and institutions, describing collaboration structures, individual roles, and research outputs, and helping the identification of knowledge gaps and cooperation opportunities. Driven by dengue continued expansion in Brazil, we explore the contribution, dynamics and consolidation of dengue scientific networks that could ultimately inform the prioritisation of research, financial investments and health policy.MethodSocial network analysis (SNA) was used to produce a 20-year (1995–2014) retrospective longitudinal evaluation of dengue research networks within Brazil and with its partners abroad, with special interest in describing institutional collaboration and their research outputs.ResultsThe analysis of institutional co-authorship showed a significant expansion of collaboration over the years, increased international involvement, and ensured a shift from public health research toward vector control and basic biomedical research, probably as a reflection of the expansion of transmission, high burden and increasing research funds from the Brazilian government. The analysis identified leading national organisations that maintained the research network connectivity, facilitated knowledge exchange and reduced network vulnerability.ConclusionsSNA proved to be a valuable tool that, along with other indicators, can strengthen a knowledge platform to inform future policy, planning and funding decisions. The paper provides relevant information to policy and planning for dengue research as it reveals: (1) the effectiveness of the research network in knowledge generation, sharing and diffusion; (2) the near-absence of collaboration with the private sector; and (3) the key central organisations that can support strategic decisions on investments, development and implementation of innovations. In addition, the increase in research activities and collaboration has not yet significantly affected dengue transmission, suggesting a limited translation of research efforts into public health solutions.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12961-016-0151-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The analysis of scientific networks has been applied in health research to map and measure relationships between researchers and institutions, describing collaboration structures, individual roles, and research outputs, and helping the identification of knowledge gaps and cooperation opportunities
The contribution of multiorganisational networks to the promotion of health de Paula Fonseca e Fonseca and Zicker Health Research Policy and Systems (2016) 14:80 innovations has been discussed, to help developing countries address the challenge of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) [11, 12]
This paper reports a 20-year retrospective longitudinal evaluation (1995–2014) of the Brazilian national and international dengue research networks, based on the co-authorship of scientific papers, with special interest in institutional collaboration
Summary
The analysis of scientific networks has been applied in health research to map and measure relationships between researchers and institutions, describing collaboration structures, individual roles, and research outputs, and helping the identification of knowledge gaps and cooperation opportunities. The analysis of coauthorship networks through SNA has been used to understand patterns of scientific collaboration [1, 2], evaluate government-funded research programs [3, 4], support policy planning and innovation management in health [5], and global health policy development [6]. The contribution of multiorganisational networks to the promotion of health de Paula Fonseca e Fonseca and Zicker Health Research Policy and Systems (2016) 14:80 innovations has been discussed, to help developing countries address the challenge of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) [11, 12]. SNA has been applied to understand scientific collaboration in NTDs and generate evidence to guide policy-planning efforts in Brazil, Canada and Germany [3, 5, 13, 14]
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