Attributes of Interdisciplinary Research Teams: A Comprehensive Review of the Literature

Abstract

Purpose: To solve large complex health-related problems, there has been a progressive movement towards interdisciplinary research teams; however, there has been minimal investigation into the attributes of successful teams. e purpose of this literature review was to examine the attributes that are important for the e ective functioning of these teams.Method: Literature from medicine, nursing and psychology databases, published between 1990 and 2010, was reviewed.Principal ndings: ematic organization of the ndings identi ed seven attributes important to e ective interdisciplinary research teams: team purpose, goals, leadership, communication, cohesion, mutual respect and re ection. ese attributes are described in depth. Conclusion

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