Collaboration in Research

Collaboration is a cornerstone of modern research, enabling scientists and scholars to share expertise, resources, and ideas across disciplines and institutions. However, successful collaboration requires more than joint effort—it demands a commitment to ethical standards, clear communication, and mutual respect. Understanding the principles of responsible collaboration helps prevent conflicts, ensures proper attribution of contributions, and upholds the integrity of the research process. This section provides guidance on best practices for building and maintaining ethical research partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

Researchers engaged in collaborations are responsible for:

  • Establishing Clear Expectations: Defining roles, responsibilities, contributions, and expectations at the outset of the project.

  • Communication: Maintaining open, honest, and regular communication among all collaborators.

  • Authorship and Credit: Agreeing early on authorship criteria and order, ensuring fair and accurate attribution of contributions.

  • Data Sharing: Respecting agreements regarding data ownership, sharing, and publication rights.

  • Managing Conflicts: Addressing disagreements constructively and following institutional processes when disputes arise.

  • Respecting Diversity: Valuing and integrating diverse perspectives, expertise, and contributions from all collaborators.

  • Adhering to Agreements: Following institutional policies, sponsor requirements, and any formal collaboration agreements (e.g., Memoranda of Understanding, Data Use Agreements).

Best Practices

  • Develop written collaboration agreements when possible, particularly for multi-institutional or interdisciplinary projects.

  • Discuss and document plans for intellectual property (IP) rights, data management, authorship, and publication early in the project.

  • Establish procedures for decision-making, dispute resolution, and accountability.

  • Ensure all collaborators are informed about and comply with applicable ethical, regulatory, and sponsor requirements.

  • Promote an inclusive and respectful research environment.

Resources and Support

The university offers training, templates, and advisory services to assist researchers in establishing ethical collaborations. Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to consult the Office of Research Compliance for guidance on collaboration agreements, authorship practices, and conflict resolution.