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Research collaboration: A politico-ethical approach to effective partnerships
Cathy Hawes
Research Education Unit, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide SA
Carolyn Emden
Research Education Unit, School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide SA
Abstract
Collaborative researchers are naive to hope that 'goodwill' will overcome the problems of collaboration, according to Beattie et al (1996). In a frank discussion of the 'debilitating effect' of collaboration, these authors build a case for exposing the political dimension of collaborative research as a first step in addressing its drawbacks. Indeed they state that to ignore the politics, macro and micro, of collaboration will 'potentially jeopardise the research outcomes'. Using a critical perspective, they consider politics and 'power relations' to be synonymous within the research process.
In this paper we take up the challenge of politicising collaborative research in the hope of better understanding its realities. We rake over various aspects with the questions in mind as to where power lies and whose interests are being served by the joint endeavour. Readers are invited similarly to keep these questions in mind. While benefits of collaboration are expressed, pitfalls associated with team dynamics, authorship and funding receive most attention.
Findings from the literature and elements of our own university experience are incorporated. We take the stance that for collaborative partnerships to work well, especially in the funding arena, both political and ethical dimensions need to be considered. To this end, we conclude with some ideas about building trust into the collaborative equation (after Davenport et al 1999). These ideas are set against a backdrop of the current funding climate in Australia and the Australian government's research expectations for 2000 and beyond.
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