Scientific collaborative within-group conduct, data-sharing, and publication agreements

Abstract

As science becomes ever more collaborative, the mechanisms for working in large and more diverse groups become more necessary. In the present article, I explore the utility of within-group collaboration agreements on participant conduct toward other project participants, within-group data sharing, and authorship of published manuscripts for research groups. Such agreements can solidify the expectations of the interactions among collaborators, potential rewards, and a feeling of security for those involved in the projects. They could also lead to more productive and satisfying research, as well as improving the training of future scientists.