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Collaborative Research, Knowledge and Emergence

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Abstract

We use the notion of emergence to consider the sorts of knowledge that can be produced in a collaborative research project. The notion invites us to see collaborative work as a developmental dynamic system in which various changes constantly occur. Among these we examine two sorts of knowledge that can be produced: scientific knowledge, and collaborative knowledge. We argue that collaborative knowledge can enable researchers to reflectively monitor their collaborative project, so as to encourage its most productive changes. On the basis of examples taken from this special issue, we highlight four modes of producing collaborative knowledge and discuss the possible uses of such knowledge.

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Notes

  1. Of course it can be accompanied by other goals, such as to increase international cooperation; constitute a database for further studies; offer training sites for young researchers; develop marketable objects or procedures; legitimate an institution, etc.

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Correspondence to Tania Zittoun.

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Zittoun, T., Baucal, A., Cornish, F. et al. Collaborative Research, Knowledge and Emergence. Integr. psych. behav. 41, 208–217 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12124-007-9021-z

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