Collaboration in the Chicago Women's Health Risk Study

Nearly 40 individuals collaborated in the study, including domestic violence activists and service providers, researchers, academicians, and government and professional representatives. The following attitudes and values characterized collaboration in the study: shared standards and flexibility, synergy, equalized power, permeable boundaries, group decision-making, assumption of good will, and collaborative maintenance. Procedures followed to create and maintain a collaborative culture are described to guide other similar study efforts. Benefits of the collaborative culture are also noted. 5 references