If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants
Abstract Introduction: The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports the creation of program infrastructure promoting scientific collaboration and improvement in translational research. While most evaluations of these and similar programs focus on scientific outcomes su...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866121000170/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1811156546820767744 |
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| author | Todd B. Combs Bobbi J. Carothers Yuanchen Liu Bradley Evanoff Douglas A. Luke |
| author_facet | Todd B. Combs Bobbi J. Carothers Yuanchen Liu Bradley Evanoff Douglas A. Luke |
| author_sort | Todd B. Combs |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
Introduction:
The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports the creation of program infrastructure promoting scientific collaboration and improvement in translational research. While most evaluations of these and similar programs focus on scientific outcomes such as grants and publications, few studies investigate the underlying mechanisms through which large infrastructure grants produce scientific or translational benefits. This study investigated how engagement – researchers’ interactions with CTSA-funded resources – can help to increase scientific productivity.
Methods:
Authors 1) developed process indicators to define engagement in the CTSA infrastructure at Washington University in St. Louis in four general categories (core service use, internal funding, mentor-mentee opportunities, and leadership roles); 2) explored the relationship between CTSA engagement and scholarly productivity; and 3) compared the relationships between engagement and productivity across gender and race/ethnicity. Mixed effects Poisson regressions modeled productivity outcomes on engagement, controlling for demographic and academic characteristics.
Results:
CTSA members who were engaged were more likely to publish papers and submit grants when compared to others. They were more likely to receive external grant awards – 10% to 20% percent more – than those who were not engaged. Productivity disparities between men and women and to a lesser extent across categories of race and ethnicity persisted even in samples matched on previous productivity levels.
Conclusions:
CTSAs could see larger growth in scientific productivity by increasing researcher engagement and addressing demographic disparities – possibly through focused communications to raise awareness of opportunities – and dissemination of case studies and success stories of engagement to membership.
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| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-314fc49bcbe44c99954d6048a0de4d77 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2059-8661 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T04:53:28Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical and Translational Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-314fc49bcbe44c99954d6048a0de4d772023-03-09T12:31:03ZengCambridge University PressJournal of Clinical and Translational Science2059-86612021-01-01510.1017/cts.2021.17If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grantsTodd B. Combs0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1015-6589Bobbi J. Carothers1Yuanchen Liu2Bradley Evanoff3Douglas A. Luke4Center for Public Health Systems Science, Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USACenter for Public Health Systems Science, Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USACenter for Public Health Systems Science, Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USASchool of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USACenter for Public Health Systems Science, Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, USA Abstract Introduction: The NIH Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program supports the creation of program infrastructure promoting scientific collaboration and improvement in translational research. While most evaluations of these and similar programs focus on scientific outcomes such as grants and publications, few studies investigate the underlying mechanisms through which large infrastructure grants produce scientific or translational benefits. This study investigated how engagement – researchers’ interactions with CTSA-funded resources – can help to increase scientific productivity. Methods: Authors 1) developed process indicators to define engagement in the CTSA infrastructure at Washington University in St. Louis in four general categories (core service use, internal funding, mentor-mentee opportunities, and leadership roles); 2) explored the relationship between CTSA engagement and scholarly productivity; and 3) compared the relationships between engagement and productivity across gender and race/ethnicity. Mixed effects Poisson regressions modeled productivity outcomes on engagement, controlling for demographic and academic characteristics. Results: CTSA members who were engaged were more likely to publish papers and submit grants when compared to others. They were more likely to receive external grant awards – 10% to 20% percent more – than those who were not engaged. Productivity disparities between men and women and to a lesser extent across categories of race and ethnicity persisted even in samples matched on previous productivity levels. Conclusions: CTSAs could see larger growth in scientific productivity by increasing researcher engagement and addressing demographic disparities – possibly through focused communications to raise awareness of opportunities – and dissemination of case studies and success stories of engagement to membership. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866121000170/type/journal_articleTranslational researchdesign and analysis |
| spellingShingle | Todd B. Combs Bobbi J. Carothers Yuanchen Liu Bradley Evanoff Douglas A. Luke If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants Journal of Clinical and Translational Science Translational research design and analysis |
| title | If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants |
| title_full | If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants |
| title_fullStr | If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants |
| title_full_unstemmed | If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants |
| title_short | If you build it, will they come? Linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants |
| title_sort | if you build it will they come linking researcher engagement and scientific productivity in large infrastructure grants |
| topic | Translational research design and analysis |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2059866121000170/type/journal_article |
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