Network-based assessment of collaborative research in neuroscience

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Team Science
• Translational Research

Background:

• The Center for Neurodegeneration and Translational Neuroscience (CNTN) is a Center of Biomedical Research Excellence.
• Understanding the emergence of research collaborations is crucial for developing effective support structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe collaborative neuroscience research within the CNTN.
• To investigate the evolution of research interactions during the establishment of a new research center.
• To document changes in research activity and the function of support infrastructure.

Main Methods:

• Social network analyses of coauthorship relationships (2014-2017) for key personnel (n=12).
• Survey data on collaborative engagement among CNTN members (n=59).
• Exponential random graph models, community detection, and brokerage analyses.

Main Results:

• CNTN members showed an increasing likelihood of forming coauthorship relationships over time.
• Community detection and brokerage analyses indicated the CNTN effectively supported scientific development.
• The research center's infrastructure functioned to support the production of science.

Conclusions:

• Assessing team science efforts is critical for evaluating and developing support structures.
• Effective support structures facilitate successful team science in translational neuroscience.
• The study highlights the importance of understanding collaboration dynamics in research centers.