Other Titles

Sigma Theta Tau International: International Collaborative Research Guidelines

Abstract

Sigma provides leadership in research to enhance the health of the world's people. Its vision is to create a global community of nurses who lead in using scholarship to accomplish this mission. Advancing the scientific base of nursing practice through research and dissemination of research findings, and fostering the creation of global linkages and collaborative relationships among nursing scholars, leaders and practitioners are goals integral to Sigma's Strategic Plan 2005. Nursing scientists and practicing nurses are uniquely positioned to collaborate as members of international and interdisciplinary research teams in conducting research that contributes globally to the public's health and well-being. Collaborative partnerships may be formed among professional organizations, academic and/or other service organizations, or teams of individual researchers. In developing such partnerships, challenges lie in the need and responsibility to address issues of research integrity, conflict of interest, cultural relevance, intellectual property rights and academic freedom.

Collaboration in research is recognized as an essential component of knowledge development in nursing and is vital to promotion of scientific nursing practice. The World Health Organization has acknowledged the importance of international collaboration in nursing through the designation of Nursing Collaborating Centers, which have as their mandate to conduct collaborative research of regional or global significance. The International Council of Nurses has developed the ICN Research Network to serve as a global mechanism for exchange of information and expertise related to nursing and health research. To address specific areas of knowledge development and dissemination and to foster research collaboration, international research networks such as the International Pediatric Nursing Research Network and the International Confederation of Midwives Research Standing Committee have been established.

A review of the literature shows that a variety of collaborative and partnership models for research have been proposed (Dufault Sullivan, 2000; Lengacher Mabe, 1992). There is a expanding literature on research teams that identifies issues and processes for team building and collaboration (Bhopal et al., 1997; Broome, 1991; Csokasy, 1997a, 1997b; DuPont, 1991; Erlen, Siminoff, Sereika, Sutton, 1997; Fain, 1996; Freund et al., 1999; Gueldner, 1996; Kengeya-Kayondo, 1994; Kone et al., 2000; Lengacher et al., 1995; Thiele, 1989; Zachariah Lundeen, 1997). These published experiences and guidelines for collaborative research suggest issues that must be considered when establishing, planning, conducting, disseminating and evaluating international collaborative research.

At the direction of the Sigma Board of Directors, the International Research Committee has developed the International Collaborative Research Guidelines. Ongoing evaluation of the roles and responsibilities of research team members is an important component of the process. Document attached to this record updated in 2003.

Adopted July 11, 2002, Sigma Board of Directors

Description

Developed by the Sigma International Research Committee, 2002 and completed in 2003.

Author Details

The mission of Sigma, is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service. Sigma's vision is to be the global organization of choice for nursing.

Sigma Membership

Sigma Headquarters

Lead Author Affiliation

Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Type

Report

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Expert Opinion (nationally/internationally recognized)

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Nursing Research, Research Collaboration, International Research

Publisher

Sigma Theta Tau International

Version

Publisher's Version

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Professionally Edited Material, None: Reputation-based Submission

Acquisition

Self-submission

Date of Issue

2003

Full Text of Presentation

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