Examining cross-national research teamwork : revealing rewards and challenges
McAlpine, Lynn (University of Oxford. Department of Education)
Skakni, Isabelle (Lancaster University. Department of Educational Research)
Sala-Bubaré, Anna (Universitat Ramon Llull. Facultat de Psicologia, Ciències de l'Educació i l'Esport Blanquerna)
Weise, Crista (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Bàsica, Evolutiva i de l'Educació)
Inouye, Kelsey (University of Oxford. Department of Education)

Date:	2021
Abstract:	Purpose: Teamwork has long featured in social science research. Further, with research increasingly "cross-national," communication becomes more complex, for instance, involving different cultures, languages and modes of communication. Yet, studies examining team communicative processes that can facilitate or constrain collaboration are rare. As a cross-national European team representing varied disciplines, experiences, languages and ethnicities, we undertook to examine our communication processes with the aim to promote better qualitative research practices. Design/methodology/approach: Viewing reflection as a tool for enhancing workplace practices, we undertook a structured reflection. We developed an empirically derived framework about team communication, then used it to analyse our interaction practices and their relative effectiveness. Findings: The results highlighted two under-examined influences, the use of different modes of communication for different purposes and the need for face-to-face communication to address a particularly challenging aspect of research, negotiating a shared coding scheme to analyse diverse cultural and linguistic qualitative data. Practical implications: The study offers a procedure and concepts that others could use to examine their team communication. Originality/value: The communicative processes that can constrain and facilitate effective cross-national research team collaboration are rarely examined. The results emphasise the need for careful negotiations around language, epistemologies, cultures and goals from the moment collaboration begins in formulating a project, through applying for grant funds, to when the last paper is published - timely in a context in which such work is increasingly expected.
Note:	Altres ajuts: Acord CSUC-Emerald
Note:	Aquesta recerca ha estat finançada per European Erasmus Programme under the project 'Researcher Identity Development: Strengthening Science in Society Strategies' [grant number 2017-1-ES01-KA203-038303]
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Published in:	Qualitative Research Journal, 14 January 2021, ISSN 1448-0980

DOI: 10.1108/QRJ-06-2020-0067

14 p, 432.8 KB

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