title: Measuring the evolution and output of cross-disciplinary collaborations within the NCI Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers Network.
abstract: Development of effective quantitative indicators and methodologies to assess the outcomes of cross-disciplinary collaborative initiatives has the potential to improve scientific program management and scientific output. This article highlights an example of a prospective evaluation that has been developed to monitor and improve progress of the National Cancer Institute Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers (PS-OC) program. Study data, including collaboration information, was captured through progress reports and compiled using the web-based analytic database: Interdisciplinary Team Reporting, Analysis, and Query Resource. Analysis of collaborations was further supported by data from the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database, MEDLINE database, and a web-based survey. Integration of novel and standard data sources was augmented by the development of automated methods to mine investigator pre-award publications, assign investigator disciplines, and distinguish cross-disciplinary publication content. The results highlight increases in cross-disciplinary authorship collaborations from pre- to post-award years among the primary investigators and confirm that a majority of cross-disciplinary collaborations have resulted in publications with cross-disciplinary content that rank in the top third of their field. With these evaluation data, PS-OC Program officials have provided ongoing feedback to participating investigators to improve center productivity and thereby facilitate a more successful initiative. Future analysis will continue to expand these methods and metrics to adapt to new advances in research evaluation and changes in the program.
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Jodi E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Basner
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Katrina I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Theisz
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Unni S
authors.initials: US
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: C David
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Ilya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ponomarev
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sulima
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eljanne
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Espey
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Franca-Koh
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Sean E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hanlon
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Nastaran Z
authors.initials: NZ
authors.lastname: Kuhn
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Larry A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Nagahara
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Joshua D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Schnell
authors.affiliation: Discovery Logic, a Thomson Reuters business, Kelly Government Solutions, Rockville, MD 20852 and Office of Physical Sciences - Oncology, Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Moore