Research collaboration in the social sciences : what factors are associated with disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration?

Richard Woolley, Mabel Sanchez-Barrioluengo, Tim Turpin, Jane Marceau

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    25 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Attention is increasingly directed toward better understanding the factors driving collaborations among researchers, particularly between researchers from different disciplinary backgrounds. This study investigates factors associated with disciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaboration in the social sciences. We utilize data from a survey of Australian-based social scientists. Interdisciplinary collaboration constitutes a considerable proportion of social scientists' collaboration activity. Factors linked to the duration and diversity of research careers are positively associated with participation in collaborations. Job experience in Australian and foreign universities also boosts total collaboration, while holding an international citizenship increases interdisciplinary collaboration. Interdisciplinary collaborations are also associated with researcher orientation toward applied research activity. Investment in social science research is important for maintaining existing interdisciplinary and applied collaborations, although better information on these collaborations is desirable. Measures to expand such collaborations should take career stage into account. Broad-based population policies may also be an important underlying factor supporting international collaboration.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)567-582
    Number of pages16
    JournalScience and Public Policy
    Volume42
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015

    Keywords

    • collaboration
    • research
    • social sciences

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