Page 105 - Encyclopedia of Nursing Research

72 n CoLLABoRATIvE RESEARCH

Trend studies are prospective designs used cost. Further, collaborative research has
to examine trends over time. In trend stud- gained momentum as grant dollars have
C ies, different subsamples are drawn from a dwindled, relevant evidenced-based practice
larger cohort at specified time points to look has become a professional expectation, and
at patterns, rates, or trends over time. Panel health care clients have become consumers.
designs with multiple cohorts are used to In response to these societal and professional
study change in the variable(s) of interest over variables, researchers recognize the need to
time, to examine differences between cohort enlarge their network of potential research
groups in variables, and to identify different partners. Implementation of collaborative
patterns between groups. In a panel study research promotes accountability of research
with multiple cohorts, the groups can enter funds, energizes the exploration of identi-
the study at different points in time, and the fied phenomenon, and provides consumers
effects can be differentiated from the effect of health care the most current knowledge.
of being a member of a particular cohort Through the inclusion of community lead-
group. A prospective study is a variation of ers, faith-based entities, and clients who are
a panel design in which a cohort free of an daily addressing the phenomenon, research
outcome but with one or more risk factors is has become much more relevant and timely.
followed longitudinally to determine who The research questions have increased spec-
develops the health outcome. The prospec- ificity and applicability and offer answers to
tive design is used to test hypotheses about complex health care situations.
risk factors for disease or other health out- Collaborative research encourages the
comes. Some authors limit the term “cohort formation of research networks that include
study” to designs in which exposed and non- all members involved with the phenomenon
exposed subjects are studied prospectively of interest. Each member brings a set of skills
or retrospectively from a specific point. A and ideas that enhance the exploration of
major problem with prospective studies of all the phenomenon. Academicians contribute
types is subject attrition from death, refusal, knowledge and expertise in research meth-
or other forms of loss. The loss of subjects in odology, grant writing, and dissemination
a prospective study may lead to biased esti- through presentations and publications.
mates about the phenomena of interest. Clinicians provide hands on application
of the current health care practice, insight
Carol M. Musil into the clinical environment and aware-
ness of relevant questions (Gitlin, Lynon, &
Kolodner, 1994). Community and faith-based
leaders infuse the research think tank with
Collaborative researCh an understanding of the social and political
factors influencing the phenomenon as well
as awareness of external resources to facili-
The word collaborative is derived from the tate the research process and to address the
Latin word collaborare, which means to labor identified needs (Story, Hinton, & Wyatt,
together (Merriam-Webster, 2010). Therefore, 2010). Finally, the incorporation of the cli-
collaborative research implies that a group ent/participants into the research network
of persons are “laboring together” to exam- brings a depth and an understanding that
ine an idea, a concept, or a phenomenon. all too often has been overlooked in the
Collaborative research has become more research process (Corcega, 1992). Each of
imperative as the world has become more these research team members is essential for
complex through advances in technology, meaningful and relevant research. Aristotle’s
globalization, and escalating health care maxim “the whole is greater than the sum of