Structure and dynamics of research groups

Abstract

The importance of associability is being increasingly stated when the present ways of production of the knowledge are analyzed. Different organizational levels exist in the context of scientific research. Among them, research groups constitute one of the most generalized modalities of association. In this article we analyze conceptual and practical aspects which are considered when it comes to identify the nature and characteristics of research groups, as well as their differences with other modalities of scientific association, such as research teams. We emphasize the functional and dynamic character of research groups, which go through different stages in their evolution. We conclude that research groups must be considered as functional organizational units, instead than structural units. This has important consequences for the policies of promotion of research groups and for the consideration of groups on the part of research institutions.

Knowledge transfer activities in social sciences and humanities: Explaining the interactions of research groups with non-academic agents

“…We focus on the research group since we contend that research is a team effort, and the group is an important organizational unit within the science system (Braam and van den Besselaar, 2010;Hernández et al, 2009;Rey-Rocha et al, 2008;Wuchty et al, 2007). Taking the research group as the unit of analysis contrasts with most studies of KT and science-society interactions which tend (with a few exceptions see Bercovitz and Feldman, 2011;Ramos-Vielba et al, 2010 to be at the university or researcher or university department level.…”

Proyección y transferencia de los grupos de investigación de la Comunicación en España a partir del análisis de sus sitios web

“…Asimismo, estas estructuras garantizan su supervivencia mediante recursos públicos o privados para financiar sus actividades o proyectos de investigación (Krohn;Küppers, 1990). Esto implica articular canales de comunicación con universidades, Administraciones, empresas privadas o sociedad civil (Bianco;Sutz, 2005, p. 26), además de posibilidad de influir en la propia definición de las políticas científicas (Rey-Rocha; Martín-Sempere; Sebastián, 2008).…”

Science-Society interactions in the social sciences and humanities:empirical studies of the Spanish Council for Scientific Research

“…The academic research group is rarely used as the unit of analysis. This is unfortunate since research groups -defined as a team of researchers working on a common research area within larger institutions and recognized as an entity by their colleagues or partners (Laredo and Mustar, 2000) -are important units of organisation within the science system as producers of knowledge (Braam and van den Besselaar, 2010;Hernández et al, 2009;Rey-Rocha et al, 2008;Wuchty et al, 2007).…”