An experience with "research by committee"

The Nursing Research Committee of a community hospital describes the difficulties and unexpected pitfalls encountered during an attempt to conduct "research by committee." The steps of the process, from initial development of a research question through research design and implementation and termination of the project, are related. A retrospective analysis of the difficulties encountered serves as a basis for recommendations to others who might consider research by committee. Although a valid means for conducting research, the experiences of this committee indicate how forces, in their control and beyond their control, might influence completion of a project.