Development and Validation of the Perception of Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration (PIRC) Scale

Abstract

The perception of interdisciplinary research collaboration (PIRC) scale is a meticulously developed and validated tool comprising 64 items, crafted through concept analysis, content validity procedures, and expert panel refinement. Pilot testing involved 1,932 academic staff members from six universities in South-South Nigeria, revealing six dimensions: “challenges of IDR collaboration,” “IDR collaborative experiences,” “motivations for IDR collaboration,” “benefits of IDR collaboration,” “career impact of IDR collaboration,” and “IDR team dynamics.” Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this structure, establishing strong convergent and discriminant validity. Reliability analysis indicated high internal consistency, making the PIRC scale a precise instrument for assessing interdisciplinary research collaboration. Its use enables stakeholders to understand researchers' perceptions, enhance collaboration, allocate resources efficiently, and foster innovation.