A content analysis defining research-focused faculty research success.

Abstract

Background: Research-focused faculty face barriers to research engagement and success. Definitions of research success vary among organizations, research teams, and individuals. An institution must identify barriers before implementing mitigation strategies.

Purpose: To define research success, identify current barriers, and strategies to mitigate those barriers to increase research-focused faculty's research success.

Methods: A qualitative research design incorporating focus groups and aspects of a modified Delphi approach was implemented at a research retreat with 22 attendees. Data were analyzed by content analysis.

Findings: Measures of research success included dissemination, planning/organization, time, wellness, collaboration, mentoring, funding, impact and translation, and recognition. Top barriers were competing demands, time, team disputes, interpersonal relations, workload, resources, expectation differences, and funding success. Attendees identified these barriers as the focus for mitigation strategies.

Discussion: Opportunities for collegial discussion, peer feedback, and dedicated meetings to discuss research ideas can help research-focused faculty increase their research success and productivity.