Intra-institutional Collaboration Research Articles

Intra-Institutional Collaborations to Promote Research and Scholarship: Examples from the Field

ABSTRACT Expectations for and rates of scholarly productivity have increased substantively across academic fields, including physical education and sport pedagogy. Concurrent with higher scholarly output has been an increase in collaborative, team approaches to science and fewer sole authored publications. This has led to the development and propagation of different types of intra- and trans-institutional research arrangements. While research laboratories are traditionally associated with the natural or hard sciences, social science researchers can also develop meaningful and collaborative spaces. This can be the case even in environments with limited faculty affiliates or graduate students or minimal or marginal physical space. The purpose of this paper is to overview examples of intra-institutional arrangements that promote scholarship and education while collaborating with outside groups. We ground the conversation in sense of community theory and key tenets of collaboration. Four intra-institutional collaborative groups are overviewed and discussed as illustrative examples and linked to best practices in collaboration. More specifically, we highlight connections to the four components of SoC (i.e. membership, influence, integration of needs, shared emotional connection), highlight the teaching and learning mission of each unit, connect to four pillars of collaborative work (i.e. shared purpose, ethic of contribution, development of independent processes, value and reward collaboration), and highlight trans-institutional collaborations with other researchers and groups. We conclude with encouragement for others to use the examples provided as inspiration for creating or further developing collaborative scholarly groups.

Promoting student success in online post-graduate studies at a South African University: The role of professional and administrative support

Post-graduate online students studying in cohorts are expected to collaborate effectively with their peers and instructors in the virtual environment and are presumed to have the necessary skills needed for self-directed online learning. However, studies have shown that the low retention and success rates in online learning could be attributed to individual students experiencing a sense of isolation in a community of online students. Providing various non-academic support is as crucial for ensuring success as academic support services. More importantly, the support should acknowledge and address the unique set of skills, experiences, and expectations of the individual student in the community of online learners. This study aimed to ascertain whether professional and administrative student support that focused on the individual needs of the post-graduate student promotes retention and success in online studies. A qualitative case study at a business school at a South African higher education institution evaluated the professional and administrative support types, range and timing in promoting success in online post-graduate studies. This included the content analysis of key documents such as the self-evaluation report and the survey report on evaluation, impact and lifelong learning of a post-graduate qualification, followed by a focus-group session to ascertain staff perceptions of the professional and administrative services and resources in promoting success in online post-graduate studies. Using Simpson’s Proactive Motivational Support model (PaMS) as a lens, the study revealed a lack of motivational aspects of student support for online post-graduate students. Furthermore, the results affirmed the presumption of post-graduate students as a homogenous group prepared to succeed in online learning communities. Moreover, that limited provision was made to support online post-graduate students from remote areas and for those with disabilities. The study concludes that a more personalised approach to student support will motivate post-graduate students to become successful self-directed students in a community of online learners. Moreover, a focused school, college and institutional approach and an integrated inter- and intra-institutional collaboration are needed to enhance self-directed learning, foster a sense of belonging, and promote success in online post-graduate studies.

Anxiety/Depression Predominance in Liaison-Psychiatry Users of a South-East Mexico Tertiary Hospital.

Patients at tertiary hospitals may find themselves in need of mental health support due to the distress associated with the illness that may or not lead to a psychiatric condition. Here is an overview of the clinical cases treated by the liaison psychiatry service of a public tertiary hospital from Southeast Mexico during its first years of operation (2008–2018), with the purpose of gathering information about the status and needs of this population. A sample of 304 clinical records of patients treated for the first time by the psychiatry service was reviewed, and the distribution by demographic characteristics, diagnosis of mental illness and medical area of reference was analyzed. Anxiety and depression symptoms were the most frequent. Most patients were women, lived in Merida and returned after the first appointment. The neurology service referred most patients, yet most attended directly. General tertiary hospitals should prioritize integrating ad hoc mental and physical health care. Adult women with a profile of anxiety and/or depression would be the first target group. Some areas of opportunity for further research and improvement of mental health services are: preventive services for anxiety and depression, follow-up of patients, attention to relatives of patients at intensive care units, implementation of telehealth alternatives, training on mental health screening and inter- and intra-institutional collaboration.

Tri-Co LIASE: Cross- and Intra-Institutional Collaboration to Build and Sustain Student-Focused Embedded Study in Asia

In this paper, Swarthmore College and Bryn Mawr College faculty and administrators share reflections on the Luce Initiative on Asian Studies and the Environment (LIASE) grants from the Henry Luce Foundation for the enhancement of curriculum on Asia and the environment and the cultivation of collaborations between US and Asian institutions. Supported by LIASE exploration grants in 2013 and a LIASE implementation grant awarded to the Tri-College Consortium of Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore Colleges in 2015, curricular innovations included the creation of courses with travel components and the introduction of topics on Asia and the environment across disciplines. Topics of discussion include fostering curricular innovation and interdisciplinarity across academic divisions; building effective and sustainable collaborations with local institutions in Asia; forging strategic partnerships with administrators in grants, advancement, and finance; leveraging institutional relationships to secure funding to pilot and sustain initiatives; and the importance of reciprocity in building long-term, cross-cultural exchanges.

Partnership among Librarians: Reflection on Observations, Interviews and Research Reports from Three Universities in Nigeria and Zimbabwe

Partnership is not a new phenomenon in the university environment. It embraces strategies used by people with common interest to harvest knowledge in terms of sharing or collaboration. However, the case differs with collaborations in Library and Information Science (LIS) research in Africa, especially LIS scholars in African universities in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. Paucity of empirical literature is available on research collaboration among LIS scholars in Nigerian and Zimbabwean universities. The purpose of the study was to examine partnership among librarians, with reflection on observation and interview research reports in three universities in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The study adopted a qualitative approach using interview to gather data from librarians drawn from three Nigerian and Zimbabwean universities. The qualitative research approach grounded on content analysis of documents/literature, observation and interview method was use for the study. The observation focus on the authors’ exposition in the sampled universities environment, while the interview were key informants from each of the three countries universities sampled. The study consider the collaborative theory through grounded method. The findings of the study revealed lack of trust in the individual or groups collaborator; team members have the feeling that the project they are collaborating on is of little benefit, due to poor relationship. Team members see themselves as contender or challenger; which has affected leadership issue and involvement of long meetings and inability to address the truth. In terms of the influence of collaboration on professional growth of librarians, result demonstrated enhancement of teaching aspect of librarianship, learning and research quality; promote cooperation, coordination, which in turn increased level of intensity, tenacity and interaction among members. Linkage among LIS professional ranges from networking, cooperation, alliances, coordination and partnership, coalition and eventually collaboration. Challenges reported include catastrophic consequent on negative effect of work, culture and stylistic parameters including concept, attitude and professional hindrances. dominance impact of policies and procedures of collaboration, exploitation of the weak members, lack of clarity and rationale behind the collaboration, unwillingness to change by members in collaboration, lack of socialisation, largeness of the group, wrong membership and jettisoning of members ideas which eventually make some members take the decision of quitting the team. The study recommends inter-disciplinary, intra-institutional and inter-institutional collaboration among various stakeholders in LIS education and training.

Revamping the academic library use data capabilities: the Greek library science postgraduates’ perspective

Purpose As universities advance towards a new data-informed, intra-institutional collaboration paradigm, new roles and services are continuously added to academic library routines. This changing context that exerts considerable stress upon library organizations to prove their value and contributions to student progress is leading the community to start questioning the utility, scope and prospects of patron data collection practices. The study sought library science postgraduate students’ viewpoints about the adequacy and utility of current library use data collection practices in Greek academic libraries. It also aimed to investigate the value, relevance and priority of the integration of library usage data with the rest of university information systems (e.g. learning analytics) along with associated practical and ethical considerations, and advocacy aspects. Design/methodology/approach Mixed-methods, Web-based survey distributed to postgraduate students during a seminar designed to familiarize them with trends in academic library use data capabilities. Findings Participants acknowledged that neither policies nor procedures are currently adequate to expand and interconnect their data pools to campus information systems. They were opposed to disclosing personally identifiable patron activity data to faculty, while their opinions were divided as to the use of student activity monitoring technology. Nevertheless, they made several comments on how to mitigate the community's considerations around the implementation of this new data management philosophy in the library and were optimistic about the benefits this development could entail for library visibility and student progress. Originality/value Results of this first-time research in the Greek higher education context, revelatory of potential road blockers to upgrading the library use data collection practices, can be of significant value to both curricula developers and university decision-makers who seek ways to prepare the ground for the successful implementation of new operations.

Understanding in-library use data lifecycle within Greek and Spanish higher education ecosystems

PurposeAs learning analytics, an emergent field, nowadays is seen as a way to break barriers to intra-institutional collaboration that will ultimately lead to educational deep transformational change, HE administrators and library and information science (LIS) researchers argue on the purpose of connecting in-library user activity data to campus-wide initiatives, their relevance and potential contribution to library strategic alignment with broader institutional goals. In this realm and framed within a PhD research, this paper aims to provide an overview of preliminary findings relevant to the exploration of the potential of Spanish and Greek academic libraries to becoming involved in learning analytics initiativesDesign/methodology/approachSpanish and Greek public university library director large scale mini-survey and LIS undergraduate curricula desk research.FindingsAnalysis of public university library director mini-survey bring to light a series of negative correlations between different LRRC types, in-library use data collection and sharing practices and library-based learning analytics conversations, while LIS undergraduate curricula review identified a limited integration of learning analytics and assessment critical skills.Originality/valueIt is the first Greek and Spanish university library-specific study aiming to contribute to the dialogue on whether, how and when the wealth of in-library use-generated knowledge could be capitalized within future learning analytics initiatives.

La coautoría como expresión de la colaboración en la producción científica de Camagüey

Objetivo: Describir el comportamiento de la coautoría en la producción científica de Camagüey registrada en las bases de datos de Web of Science (WoS) y Scopus en el período 2001-2013.Método: Se realizó un análisis bibliométrico mediante la aplicación de indicadores tales como índice de coautoría, rango de autores firmantes y su relación con las citaciones recibidas, evolución de la colaboración; se utilizó el análisis de redes para el estudio y visualización de la colaboración.Resultados: El índice de coautoría de la producción científica en general es 4.85 y el rango de autores firmantes predominante se encuentra entre 4 y 5 autores. El artículo con mayor cantidad de autores (30) es el que mayor cantidad de citas ha recibido en las dos bases de datos analizadas. Sólo 50 documentos no muestran colaboración al ser firmados por un único autor, mientras que la colaboración intrainstitucional está presente en más de 200 documentos.Conclusiones: Los patrones de colaboración muestran el predominio de la colaboración intrainstitucional en el período. En el análisis de la colaboración institucional se destacan la Universidad de Camagüey y el Hospital Manuel Ascunce Domenech al establecer vínculos colaborativos más fuertes con otras entidades, tanto cubanas como extranjeras. La internacionalización de la producción científica fue muy baja hasta el año 2005, a partir del 2006 tiene un ligero incremento pero continúa por debajo de la colaboración nacional e intrainstitucional.

Unit Support, Past Experience and Researcher Attitude for Intra-institutional Research Collaboration: Survey Study in a US Doctoral/Research University

Intra-institutional collaboration is an often neglected type of research collaboration from the literature. This study aimed to understand what factors contribute to this type of collaboration as well as what types of factors can impact negatively the likelihood of this collaboration. We deployed a survey in a US research institution and measured for factors relating to environmental, past researcher behavior and personal research characteristics. We developed a model that demonstrates how these sets variables influence intra-institutional collaboration and developed recommendations for units. Unit support for collaboration and past behavior were found to impact intra-institutional collaboration. Additionally, researcher’s attitudes toward sharing knowledge and resources were also found to impact the likelihood for collaboration within institution.

Faculty Use of Author Identifiers and Researcher Networking Tools

This cross-sectional survey focused on faculty use and knowledge of author identifiers and researcher networking systems, and professional use of social media, at a large state university. Results from 296 completed faculty surveys representing all disciplines (9.3% response rate) show low levels of awareness and variable resource preferences. The most utilized author identifier was ORCID while ResearchGate, LinkedIn, and Google Scholar were the top profiling systems. Faculty also reported some professional use of social media platforms. The survey data will be utilized to improve library services and develop intra-institutional collaborations in scholarly communication, research networking, and research impact.

Faculty Use of Author Identifiers and Researcher Networking Tools

This cross-sectional survey focused on faculty use and knowledge of author identifiers and researcher networking systems, and professional use of social media, at a large state university. Results from 296 completed faculty surveys representing all disciplines (9.3% response rate) show low levels of awareness and variable resource preferences. The most utilized author identifier was ORCID while ResearchGate, LinkedIn, and Google Scholar were the top profiling systems. Faculty also reported some professional use of social media platforms. The survey data will be utilized to improve library services and develop intra-institutional collaborations in scholarly communication, research networking, and research impact.

Global scientific collaboration in COPD research.

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the multiple collaboration types, quantitatively evaluate the publication trends and review the performance of institutions or countries (regions) across the world in COPD research.Materials and methodsScientometric methods and social network analysis were used to survey the development of publication trends and understand current collaboration in the field of COPD research based on the Web of Science publications during the past 18 years.ResultsThe number of publications developed through different collaboration types has increased. Growth trends indicate that the percentage of papers authored through multinational and domestic multi-institutional collaboration (DMIC) have also increased. However, the percentage of intra-institutional collaboration and single-authored (SA) studies has reduced. The papers that produced the highest academic impact result from international collaboration. The second highest academic impact papers are produced by DMIC. Out of the three, the papers that are produced by SA studies have the least amount of impact upon the scientific community. A handful of internationally renowned institutions not only take the leading role in the development of the research within their country (region) but also play a crucial role in international research collaboration in COPD. Both the amount of papers produced and the amount of cooperation that occurs in each study are disproportionally distributed between high-income countries (regions) and low-income countries (regions). Growing attention has been generated toward research on COPD from more and more different academic domains.ConclusionDespite the rapid development in COPD research, collaboration in the field of COPD research still has room to grow, especially between different institutions or countries (regions), which would promote the progress of global COPD research.

Influence of varying compressive loading methods on physiologic motion patterns in the cervical spine

The human cervical spine supports substantial compressive load in-vivo arising from muscle forces and the weight of the head. However, the traditional in-vitro testing methods rarely include compressive loads, especially in investigations of multi-segment cervical spine constructs. Various methods of modeling physiologic loading have been reported in the literature including axial forces produced with inclined loading plates, eccentric axial force application, follower load, as well as attempts to individually apply/model muscle forces in-vitro. The importance of proper compressive loading to recreate the segmental motion patterns exhibited in-vivo has been highlighted in previous studies. However, appropriate methods of representing the weight of head and muscle loading are currently unknown.Therefore, a systematic comparison of standard pure moment with no compressive loading versus published and novel compressive loading techniques (follower load – FL, axial load – AL, and combined load – CL) was performed. The present study is unique in that a direct comparison to continuous cervical kinematics over the entire extension to flexion motion path was possible through an ongoing intra-institutional collaboration. The pure moment testing protocol without compression or with the application of follower load was not able to replicate the typical in-vivo segmental motion patterns throughout the entire motion path. Axial load or a combination of axial and follower load was necessary to mimic the in-vivo segmental contributions at the extremes of the extension-flexion motion path. It is hypothesized that dynamically altering the compressive loading throughout the motion path is necessary to mimic the segmental contribution patterns exhibited in-vivo.

How do alumni faculty behave in research collaboration? An analysis of Chang Jiang Scholars in China

Recruiting overseas alumni as faculty within their Chinese alma mater has become a common phenomenon in Chinese universities. This paper studies how the alumni linkage, the connection between alumni faculty members and their alma mater, influences the individual collaborative behaviour of returnee scholars. The results show that alumni faculty are inclined to conduct less intra-institutional collaboration than non-alumni faculty, and the impact of alumni linkage on a scholar's propensity towards international collaboration is not significant. Both results are inconsistent with expectations. The importance of local networking and other factors in Chinese research culture may cause returnee scholars to exhibit such unexpected behaviours in collaborative propensities. Another central finding is that alumni faculty members tend to publish in journals with an average greater impact factor than non-alumni faculty. We therefore argue that alumni linkage has played an important role in bringing about the prosocial behaviour of alumni faculty by strengthening their motivation to pursue quality research, and that the strength of a returnee scholar's local academic network also has a great impact on their tendency towards high impact research.

An Institutional Approach to Developing Research Data Management Infrastructure

This article outlines the work that the University of Oxford is undertaking to implement a coordinated data management infrastructure. The rationale for the approach being taken by Oxford is presented, with particular attention paid to the role of each service division. This is followed by a consideration of the relative advantages and disadvantages of institutional data repositories, as opposed to national or international data centres. The article then focuses on two ongoing JISC-funded projects, ‘Embedding Institutional Data Curation Services in Research’ (Eidcsr) and ‘Supporting Data Management Infrastructure for the Humanities’ (Sudamih). Both projects are intra-institutional collaborations and involve working with researchers to develop particular aspects of infrastructure, including: University policy, systems for the preservation and documentation of research data, training and support, software tools for the visualisation of large images, and creating and sharing databases via the Web (Database as a Service).

Community structure and patterns of scientific collaboration in Business and Management

This paper investigates the role of homophily and focus constraint in shaping collaborative scientific research. First, homophily structures collaboration when scientists adhere to a norm of exclusivity in selecting similar partners at a higher rate than dissimilar ones. Two dimensions on which similarity between scientists can be assessed are their research specialties and status positions. Second, focus constraint shapes collaboration when connections among scientists depend on opportunities for social contact. Constraint comes in two forms, depending on whether it originates in institutional or geographic space. Institutional constraint refers to the tendency of scientists to select collaborators within rather than across institutional boundaries. Geographic constraint is the principle that, when collaborations span different institutions, they are more likely to involve scientists that are geographically co-located than dispersed. To study homophily and focus constraint, the paper will argue in favour of an idea of collaboration that moves beyond formal co-authorship to include also other forms of informal intellectual exchange that do not translate into the publication of joint work. A community-detection algorithm for formalising this perspective will be proposed and applied to the co-authorship network of the scientists that submitted to the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise in Business and Management in the UK. While results only partially support research-based homophily, they indicate that scientists use status positions for discriminating between potential partners by selecting collaborators from institutions with a rating similar to their own. Strong support is provided in favour of institutional and geographic constraints. Scientists tend to forge intra-institutional collaborations; yet, when they seek collaborators outside their own institutions, they tend to select those who are in geographic proximity. The implications of this analysis for tie creation in joint scientific endeavours are discussed.

Harnessing technology for effective inter- and intra-institutional collaboration

The computer science discipline is well poised to provide leading examples of harnessing communications and computer technologies in order to encourage collaborative practices both within and between institutions. Students, academics, and institutions all potentially have access to their counterparts world-wide. This provides endless opportunities for sharing knowledge, accessing scarce expertise, making effective re-use of limited resources, collaborating to attract funding and influence policies, etc. Even so, within our own institutions we regularly miss opportunities to exploit appropriate technology for supporting both educational and administrative collaboration.The aims of this working group were to raise awareness of collaborative opportunities and practices, to investigate practically what collaboration means to academics, and to take practical steps towards promoting collaboration. The working group also aimed to identify technologies, i.e., techniques and tools, that offer pragmatic approaches to supporting collaborative schemes.

A Window of Opportunity for Intra-Institutional Collaboration

A Window of Opportunity for Intra-Institutional Collaboration