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II Joint Research Projects
all sub-projects and collaborators enter the project with the same level of knowledge.
In a joint project the sub-projects are closely linked and dependent on each
other for the success of the project. Thus the joint project sets a rather rigid frame
allowing little tlexibility to react to eventual requirements for modifications in
single sub-projects. Such changes would always effect other sub-projects as well
and thus have to be discussed by the entire joint project.
With the background of a poor financial situation of the universities these days,
one of the main motives to apply for funds is to obtain PhD positions. The scientific interest in the respective topic often comes second. This is especially fatal for
joint projects. The PhD students have to finish their thesis in the first place and can
be less concerned about the success of the whole enterprise. Often enough they
have not yet got the scientific experience to react to research results in the course
of a project. Thus a particularly intensive supervision is required if a joint project
relies almost exclusively on PhD students. The limitation on PhD students has a
further disadvantage for science policy, namely that experienced scientists are
usually released into unemployment nowadays, while a new generation starts from
zero again. This seems to be an uneconomic waste of resources and leaves scientific opportunities unused.
The scientific efficiency of a research project, measured in the quality and
number of publications, depends to a large degree on the commitment and experience of the scientists involved. This also requires an intensive supervision, especially since interdisciplinary publications should result from a joint project. The
requirements for interim reports should be reduced to leave more time for publishing.
Furthermore, joint projects can provide training in a variety of disciplines. This
is important given an increasingly stringent time frame and demand to specialize
at universities today. Scientists and PhD students involved in a joint project can
acquire a wide range of knowledge and are thus well equipped for interdisciplinary
endeavours in the future.
To summari/.e. with the potential for higher quality of scientific results, joint
projects are scientifically more demanding than single projects and pose higher
requirements to scientific work. This is not restricted to the time of field work, but
valid for the entire period from the initial stages to a final synthesis.
Aspects of organisation
The organisational efforts of joint projects are considerable. They cover not only
the scientific coordination, but financial and technical organisation as well. For all
of these aspects additional staff is needed. On the other hand, the combined accomplishment of organisational and technical duties avoids double work and subprojects are financially relieved. The incorporation of theoretical conSUlting, statistical consulting and data management are usually unaffordable for single projects, but can be provided for by joint projects. With the research being carried out
in the sub-projects, a joint research project still requires an additional position for
scientific coordination. This is an organisational expression of the higher scientific
needs for the overall result of a joint project.
II Joint Research Projects
all sub-projects and collaborators enter the project with the same level of knowledge.
In a joint project the sub-projects are closely linked and dependent on each
other for the success of the project. Thus the joint project sets a rather rigid frame
allowing little tlexibility to react to eventual requirements for modifications in
single sub-projects. Such changes would always effect other sub-projects as well
and thus have to be discussed by the entire joint project.
With the background of a poor financial situation of the universities these days,
one of the main motives to apply for funds is to obtain PhD positions. The scientific interest in the respective topic often comes second. This is especially fatal for
joint projects. The PhD students have to finish their thesis in the first place and can
be less concerned about the success of the whole enterprise. Often enough they
have not yet got the scientific experience to react to research results in the course
of a project. Thus a particularly intensive supervision is required if a joint project
relies almost exclusively on PhD students. The limitation on PhD students has a
further disadvantage for science policy, namely that experienced scientists are
usually released into unemployment nowadays, while a new generation starts from
zero again. This seems to be an uneconomic waste of resources and leaves scientific opportunities unused.
The scientific efficiency of a research project, measured in the quality and
number of publications, depends to a large degree on the commitment and experience of the scientists involved. This also requires an intensive supervision, especially since interdisciplinary publications should result from a joint project. The
requirements for interim reports should be reduced to leave more time for publishing.
Furthermore, joint projects can provide training in a variety of disciplines. This
is important given an increasingly stringent time frame and demand to specialize
at universities today. Scientists and PhD students involved in a joint project can
acquire a wide range of knowledge and are thus well equipped for interdisciplinary
endeavours in the future.
To summari/.e. with the potential for higher quality of scientific results, joint
projects are scientifically more demanding than single projects and pose higher
requirements to scientific work. This is not restricted to the time of field work, but
valid for the entire period from the initial stages to a final synthesis.
Aspects of organisation
The organisational efforts of joint projects are considerable. They cover not only
the scientific coordination, but financial and technical organisation as well. For all
of these aspects additional staff is needed. On the other hand, the combined accomplishment of organisational and technical duties avoids double work and subprojects are financially relieved. The incorporation of theoretical conSUlting, statistical consulting and data management are usually unaffordable for single projects, but can be provided for by joint projects. With the research being carried out
in the sub-projects, a joint research project still requires an additional position for
scientific coordination. This is an organisational expression of the higher scientific
needs for the overall result of a joint project.