Work

A Social Network Analysis Approach to Diagnosing and Improving the Functioning of Transdisciplinary Teams in Public Health

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Background: The National Cancer Institute’s Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer initiative is in its second round of funding. Despite increasing agreement that transdisciplinary team-based research is valuable in addressing complex problems like energy balance and cancer, methods for constructing and maintaining transdisciplinary teams is lacking. Purpose: We articulate a method for assessing transdisciplinary teams that relies on social network analysis and using this knowledge to improve their functioning. Methods: Using data from the Washington University TREC site in 2011 and 2013, we demonstrate the use of social network analysis to assess and provide feedback on team functioning. Results: We portray broker functioning in both years. By 2013, the director and co-director had begun to share broker functions with other members. Some brokers fostered communication with less central network members. Conclusions: The information obtained can help to train a new generation of investigators to optimally participate on transdisciplinary research teams.

Source: Transdisciplinary Journal of Engineering & Science

DOI: 10.22545/2015/00070

Authors: Sarah Gehlert, Bobbi J. Carothers, Jung Ae Lee, Jefferson Gill, Douglas Luke, Graham Colditz

Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

Language: English

Topic: Interdisciplinary Research and Collaboration

Subfield: Information Systems and Management

Field: Decision Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: National Cancer Institute

Award: A MULTILEVEL APPROACH TO ENERGY BALANCE AND CANCER ACROSS THE LIFECOURSE