Research Exemplar Project, United States, 2017

The Research Exemplar Project was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews followed by thematic analysis. In this study, 52 federally-funded researchers in the United States identified as exemplars by peers provided their perspectives on building effective, productive, and high-quality working relationships and research teams. The purpose was to study the behaviors, practices, and priorities the exemplars use to promote high-quality and impactful research and to uphold standards of research integrity and compliance in their research labs. These behaviors help to elucidate leadership and management practices that foster the production of excellent research. The analysis focused on thematic analysis of behaviors, practices, and individual characteristics reflected in the interviews. Quantitative demographic information such as age group, gender, academic rank, race, ethnicity, and education level was also collected.