Collaboration in research and the influential factors in Golestan University of Medical Sciences research projects (2005-2007): an academic sample from Iran

Background: Number of Iranian articles published in ISI journals has increased significantly in recent years. Despite the quantitative progress, studies performed in Iran represent low collaboration in research; therefore, we decided to evaluate collaboration in Golestan University of Medical Sciences (GOUMS) research projects. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all GOUMS research projects that had got grants from the university between 2005-2007 were studied. Among 107 research projects included in our study, 102 projects were evalu-ated and checklists were completed. The researcherʹs questionnaire was sent to the principle investigators (n= 46) of the projects and eventually 40 questionnaires were collected. Results: The review of 102 research proposals shows that 10 projects (9.8%) have been performed in collabo-ration with other organizations. Scientific outputs in these projects have been more than projects which were confined to the university (98% compare to 68%; p= 0.04). The total cost of the projects under study was a little more than 300,000 US$. In just 12 projects (11.8%) a part of the cost had been provided by organizations outside the university. About 50% of researchers declared that they had chosen their research topic based on their "personal interest". Only 1 project was performed by the demand of nongovernmental organizations and 12 researchers reported no collaboration in their activities. Conclusion: This study shows that collaboration in GOUMS research projects is low. Moreover, collaborations with governmental and nongovernmental organizations are trivial. The scientific outputs in collaborative re-search projects are much more than other projects.