Introduction
Science is a team sport.
Collaboration has been shown to increase productivity, quality of research, and the likelihood of publishing results. But it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve put together some tips that will help you collaborate more effectively with your peers and create better science.
The Power of Collaboration Over Debate
Collaboration is a better way to solve problems
One of the main challenges in scientific collaboration, and one that tends to get less attention than it should, is avoiding the “groupthink” problem. It’s hard to be open to the wisdom of others if you are locked into your own point of view; this can create unnecessary barriers between researchers and lead us all down wrong paths.
Collaboration helps us overcome these obstacles by encouraging participants to share their knowledge freely, while also allowing them opportunities for constructive criticism and debate if needed. When scientists work together effectively as a team, they can avoid some common pitfalls by working through their disagreements in an organized way before making decisions together on how best to proceed with their research project or experiment.
Collaboration? Start With Listening
In the first step to collaboration, listening is key. It’s important to listen with an open mind and heart, especially when people are talking about something you don’t know much about or if they’re saying things that differ from what you believe to be true. If you’re able to do this well, then people will feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas with you naturally—and that’s how collaborations begin.
When it comes down to it, we are all different people with different backgrounds, skillsets and experiences; therefore there is no one right way of doing things. Collaboration requires us not only be open-minded, but also willing enough for everyone involved—including ourselves—to learn something new every day.
Open Yourself to the Wisdom of Others
When you’re working in a group, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you know everything about your subject. Or that you know everything about your collaborator’s work. Or that everyone else is always wrong when they disagree with you—or when they try to tell you something new about a subject or situation.
But this is not the collaborative mindset. The collaborative mindset is one where we listen to what others say—and admit openly when we don’t understand something they’re telling us (or vice versa). In order to make progress as a group—whether it’s figuring out how an experiment will turn out or writing a paper together. We need to know what each person has contributed so far and be open-minded enough not just to hear their ideas, but also consider them seriously.
Treat Your Collaborators Well
Collaboration is a two-way street. The more you respect and appreciate your collaborators, the easier it will be for them to respect and appreciate you. Think about all the people who have contributed to your success thus far in life, from teachers to mentors and friends to family members—wouldn’t you want them to feel valued?
Our advice is simple: treat others as if they were equals, even if they aren’t (yet). This means that you should be open-minded enough to consider their ideas without getting defensive or protective of your own opinions. If you’re collaborating with someone, it’s important to consider their suggestions and advice. This is an opportunity for both parties to grow.
Collaboration Is the Key to Better Science
A more open and collaborative environment can be difficult for traditional scientists to adjust to. Scientists tend to have a lot of pride in their work, and they may not want to share their ideas or data with people outside their field. But that’s exactly the kind of attitude that needs changing if we want better science. A more collaborative approach can lead to some incredible breakthroughs.
- Being receptive to new ideas
- Willingness to listen to others
- Being willing to compromise on issues where there are differences of opinion
Conclusion
It’s tempting to throw up your hands at the prospect of collaborating with anyone other than yourself. After all, science is hard enough without having to deal with interpersonal relationships.
But that attitude misses a critical point: collaboration doesn’t just make your research better; it makes it possible in the first place. As we’ve seen here, effective collaboration requires respect for each other’s ideas and contributions—and scientists who can work well together are more likely to be successful as well.