Research collaboration in Ghana: patterns, motives and roles

Abstract

This study had three objectives: to examine patterns of research collaboration in Ghana, to study reasons why Ghanaian-affiliated researchers collaborate with others (both inside and outside Ghana), and to determine the roles of Ghanaian-affiliated researchers in collaborations. The methodology comprised a bibliometric analysis of articles in the Web of Science for the years 1990 to 2013, and an online survey of 190 Ghanaian-affiliated corresponding authors of articles. Collaboration increased from 73% in 1990–1997 to 93% in 2006–2013, and international collaboration from 49 to 73% over the same time. The public university and government sectors, together with the three most research-productive organisations in each sector, were found to be highly dependent on collaboration for research production. The online survey revealed that collaboration with researchers in three regions (within Ghana, within the rest of Africa, and outside Africa) was to a large extent initiated by existing personal/working relationships. Access to expertise and enhanced productivity were the main reasons why Ghanaian-affiliated researchers collaborated with others in these three regions. Collaborators within Ghana were largely involved in the collection of data or fieldwork. Collaborators from outside Africa played instrumental roles in providing resources and securing research funds.