Learn More About Enhancing Your Team: Installment 1

What are scientific teams and why are they important? Multi and interdisciplinary team science programs bridging the public and private sectors are not only the present, they are the future. Collaboration among those trained in different fields is required to understand, expand and solve the many complex issues of today. Although research teams can vary in size, duration, scope and complexity, the dynamics around these teams are often very similar.

The scientific research team can be thought of in a continuum. Please read our next installment to learn more about the team charters.

Level of Interaction and Integration Low ------> High

Independent Research

Investigator works largely independently on a research problem with his or her lab.

Collaboration

Each group member brings expertise to address the research problem.

Group members work on separate parts of the research problem, which are later integrated.

Data sharing or brainstorming among lead investigators varies from limited to frequent.

Integrated Research Team

Each member brings specific expertise to address the research problem.

Team meets regularly to discuss team goals, individuals’ objectives, and next steps.

Team shares leadership responsibility, decision-making authority, data, and credit.

*Collaboration and Team Science: A Field Guide. L. Michelle Bennett, Howard Gadlin, Samantha Levine-Finley, August 2010, NIH Publication No. 10-7660.