Understanding Cross-Disciplinary Team-Based Research

Cross-disciplinary team-based research is conducted by collaborators from more than one area of expertise. The quality of the scholarship they produce can be influenced strongly by the quality of their collaborative interactions. A new field of study has emerged, called the science of team science (SciTS), that aims to develop an evidence base for the multilevel factors that hinder or facilitate effective research collaboration, such as team characteristics and processes and institutional, funding, and other conditions. This chapter begins with an overview of team science, including a discussion of the major dimensions and processes that shape science teams and unique considerations for cross-disciplinary teams. The chapter then introduces key concepts and milestones in the SciTS field, and reviews conceptual models that explicate the processes and contextual factors that influence research collaboration. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future directions, including additional evidence needed to promote effective cross-disciplinary teamwork.