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. 2021 Jun 14;5(1):e139.
doi: 10.1017/cts.2021.802. eCollection 2021.

Conceptual models for implementing solution-oriented team science in large research consortia

Leslie C Thompson  1 , Kara L Hall  2 , Amanda L Vogel  3 , Christina H Park  1 , Matthew W Gillman  1
Affiliations

Conceptual models for implementing solution-oriented team science in large research consortia

Leslie C Thompson et al. J Clin Transl Sci. .

Abstract

Large translational research initiatives can strengthen efficiencies and support science with enhanced impact when practical conceptual models guide their design, implementation, and evaluation. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program brings together data from 72 ongoing maternal-child cohort studies - involving more than 50,000 children and over 1200 investigators - to conduct transdisciplinary solution-oriented research that addresses how early environmental exposures influence child health. ECHO uses a multi-team system approach to consortium-wide data collection and analysis to generate original research that informs programs, policies, and practices to enhance children's health. Here, we share two conceptual models informed by ECHO's experiences and the Science of Team Science. The first conceptual model illuminates a system of teams and associated tasks that support collaboration toward shared scientific goals. The second conceptual model provides a framework for designing evaluations for continuous quality improvement of manuscript writing teams. Together, the two conceptual models offer guidance for the design, implementation, and evaluation of translational and transdisciplinary multi-team research initiatives.

Keywords: Conceptual models; large research consortia; solution-oriented research; team science; transdisciplinary science.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors are employees of the National Institutes of Health and report no conflicts of interest. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of the US Government, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the National Institutes of Health.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Multi-team system blueprint for generating solution-oriented research (reviewed in the Supplementary Video for Model 1).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Writing team functioning in solution-oriented research (reviewed in the Supplementary Video for Model 2).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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