Ten steps to success in integrative research projects

Abstract

Research in the INTELS project has revealed that many integrative (= interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary) landscape projects frequently face similar challenges. There are, however, few guidelines available to help projects avoid common problems. In this chapter, we present what we consider the ten most important steps towards successful integrative research projects. We define successful projects as those that reach integration and project goals, produce tangible outcomes, contribute to progress in integrative research and provide positive experiences for their participants. In order to reach success, we recommend that projects are specifically organized to reach integration through the development of an Integration Implementation Plan. Projects should identify a common research question and clear project goals; these will identify the relevant disciplinary expertise needed. Because Chapter 17 242 integrative projects have a higher time demand, we suggest adopting time management practices and the allocation of realistic time budgets, especially at the beginning of projects. Strong leadership plays a crucial role in the success of integrative research and requires a high level of interpersonal skills as well as research credibility. Frequent meetings among the participants and the support of the wider research environment also help to achieve success. Project teams need to arrive at a common understanding and definition of the integrative concept and prepare for overcoming epistemological hurdles by acquiring basic skills in the disciplines involved. We recommend that projects are planned for tangible project outcomes/deliverables, particularly in terms of scientific publications. A publication plan identifies target groups, specifies media and journals, lists responsible authors, arranges writing meetings and sets milestones and submission dates. We conclude with the suggestion that projects agree on evaluation criteria and use these to assess the project and its outcomes on a regular basis. Integrative projects can learn from past experiences, and we therefore encourage participants to report experiences from integrative projects. These experiences contain valuable knowledge that will, over time, lead to more successful integrative research.

Exploring Undergraduate Research Projects Success Factors in Muni University, Uganda

“…These skills include; Research Skills (shown in 7). These skills conform to the ones highlighted in the related studies by Tress et al (2005), Follmer et al (2015, Zúñiga (2009), andFernández-Santander et al (2012).…”

“…According to Tress et al (2005), successful projects are those that reach integration and project goals, produce tangible outcomes, contribute to progress in integrative research and provide positive experiences for their participants. The researchers further indicated that in order to reach success, it is recommended that projects are specifically organised to reach integration through the development of an Integration Implementation Plan where projects have a common research question and clear project goals.…”

“…Research shows that original project-based learning design in nature facilitates the effective implementation of situated learning in school. Herrington and Oliver (2000) developed the instructional design framework as cited in Daihong (2017, p. 22) In a study by Tress et al (2005), the success of research projects rotates around: identification of common research questions and clear project goals; adopting time management practices; the allocation of realistic time budgets; strong leadership, which requires a high level of interpersonal skills as well as research credibility; frequent meetings among the participants; the support of the wider research environment; plan for tangible project deliverables, for example of scientific publications; an evaluation criterion for assessing the project outcomes.…”

Ocean Integration: The Needs and Challenges of Effective Coordination Within the Ocean Observing System

“…Integration does not happen automatically and should therefore be seen as a necessary part of the work that needs to be tackled from the beginning (Tress et al, 2006). Coordination takes time, so providing adequate financial and human resources and agreement on the responsibility to coordinate the integration process is essential.…”

A systemic framework for supporting cross-disciplinary efforts in services research

“…There is some prescriptive advice for how to go about integrative research [57][58][59]. These are generally manifest as a number of activities such as ''Resolving disciplinary conflicts by working toward a common vocabulary [57]'' or ''Integrating the individual pieces to determine a pattern of mutual relatedness and relevancy [58].''…”