Thorarin A Bjarnason
IEEE Potentials Magazine, 2009; 28(4): 21-4

Abstract

In 2007, Wuchty et al. showed that collaboration between scientists with different areas of expertise, from different institutions, and located in different regions of the globe is becoming common in the advancement of knowledge. Collaborative groups that are geographically dispersed with conflicting time commitments makes coordinating efforts on a single initiative, such as a journal manuscript, extremely difficult. Collaboration is appealing, however, since varied backgrounds can be united to perform research that each individual would be unable to do on their own. Furthermore, Wuchty et al. revealed that team collaboration often produces research that is more frequently cited and is of higher impact than solo authors. Making manuscript revisions more efficient and manageable for a large group is desirable in an environment that is becoming increasingly more multidisciplinary and collaborative.