Together with a group of researchers at Charles Sturt University in Australia, the research group SOL* at Karlstad University is running the APPLES project. The aim is to find out what makes a research group successful. Preliminary findings from the Nordic countries show that the factor researchers themselves consider most important is having basic structures in place – without these, it is impossible to build an effective research group.
– Many researchers belong to research groups, yet little is known about what makes a group effective and how it benefits individual researchers and their ability to produce high-quality research, says Lennart Karlsson, doctoral student in educational work at Karlstad University. Our preliminary findings from the Nordic countries highlight the importance of having basic structures in place.
These structures include factors such as technical resources, set times for meetings, regular gatherings and strong leadership with a clear agenda.
– The structures are needed to help researchers feel motivated to work together. There also needs to be an openness in a respectful environment where people trust and support each other, and where they can think freely and share different perspectives.
Together with several colleagues from the research group SOL, Lennart Karlsson studies research groups and their members to determine which factors contribute to an effective research group and to collective and individual development within these groups. The researchers in SOL have now completed the first phase, where they categorised the survey responses from researchers in the Nordic countries.
– We use a broad definition of research groups. Research groups include any group that engages in research activities as a collective. These activities might include reading groups/circles, peer review, research projects or reflections on research endeavours. Our definition of effectiveness mainly relates to the ability to produce a desired or intended result.
Collaboration with Australia
The research project APPLES is conducted as parallel studies with a focus on two areas: Australia and the Nordic countries. Anette Forssten Seiser, docent in educational work at Karlstad University, is also part of the research project.
– It all started with a question about how to best support junior researchers. I have several contacts with Australian researchers who also supervise junior researchers and we had similar concerns, even though Australia had begun to address the issues. Late in the autumn of 2023, we had a first joint meeting about starting the research project. The fact that these two studies are being conducted simultaneously and with similar purposes and research questions creates opportunities for deeper knowledge and understanding as well as international comparisons. We will now move on to analysing the responses from the first phase and comparing them with analyses from our research colleagues in Australia.
More information
*SOL stands for School Development, Organisation and Leadership.
The following researchers from SOL at Karlstad University are participating in the APPLES research project: Ami Cooper, lecturer in pedagogy, Anette Forssten Seiser, docent in educational work, Ann-Britt Enochsson, professor of educational work, Ingela Portfelt, senior lecturer in educational work, Lennart Karlsson, doctoral student in educational work, Madeleine Wiker, senior lecturer in sport and fitness sciences and doctor in educational work, and Thomas Blom, senior lecturer in educational work.
The Australian researchers are affiliated with Charles Sturt University and are part of the PPLE research group – Professional Practice, Learning and Education.
