Collaboration |  | Aspects of collaboration remained unclear... |
|  |  | Collaborative research has a number of benefits but requires clear delineation of the roles of the respective participants. Since such collaborations often occur among individuals at different institutions, it is especially important that each member have a clear understanding of the guidelines by which the collaboration operates. Participants in collaborative studies should consider creating a written statement that documents their respective roles in this arrangement. This is particularly important as the membership in the collaborative study or the role of the participants changes over time. Before joining a collaborative effort, researchers should consider seeking the advice and counsel of a mentor, grant/contract officer, colleague who has been in such an arrangement or other resource. This may help to determine if such an arrangement is appropriate and, if so, the preferred way to enter into the collaboration. Open, candid, ongoing communication is vital to the success of collaborative research. This includes discussions that involve establishment of a formal collaboration and ongoing activities of the participating parties.