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

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  • Richard Woolley
  • Mabel Sánchez-Barrioluengo
  • Tim Turpin
  • Jane Marceau

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Woolley & Mabel Sánchez-Barrioluengo & Tim Turpin & Jane Marceau, 2015. "Research collaboration in the social sciences: What factors are associated with disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration?," Science and Public Policy, Oxford University Press, vol. 42(4), pages 567-582.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:scippl:v:42:y:2015:i:4:p:567-582.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/scipol/scu074
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Productivity Commission, 2007. "Public Support for Science and Innovation," Research Reports, Productivity Commission, Government of Australia, number 24.
    2. Dominique Vinck, 2010. "The Sociology of Scientific Work," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13832.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zuo, Zhiya & Zhao, Kang, 2018. "The more multidisciplinary the better? – The prevalence and interdisciplinarity of research collaborations in multidisciplinary institutions," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 12(3), pages 736-756.
    2. Hugo Horta & Shihui Feng & João M. Santos, 2022. "Homophily in higher education research: a perspective based on co-authorships," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 127(1), pages 523-543, January.
    3. Shogo Katoh & Rick (H.L.) Aalbers & Shintaro Sengoku, 2021. "Effects and Interactions of Researcher’s Motivation and Personality in Promoting Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-19, November.

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