Researchers' experience with project management in health and medical research: Results from a post-project review
2011

Project Management in Health Research

Sample size: 15 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Janet M Payne, Kathryn E France, Nadine Henley, Heather A D'Antoine, Anne E Bartu, Elizabeth J Elliott, Carol Bower

Primary Institution: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia

Hypothesis

Did project management improve the outcomes of the Alcohol and Pregnancy Project?

Conclusion

Researchers found that project management significantly contributed to the success of the Alcohol and Pregnancy Project.

Supporting Evidence

  • 93.8% of researchers agreed that project management assisted in delivering defined project outcomes.
  • Project management improved communication and teamwork among researchers.
  • Researchers reported that project management helped keep the project on track and within budget.

Takeaway

Using project management helped the researchers work better together and finish their project on time and within budget.

Methodology

A national interdisciplinary group of 20 researchers conducted a post-project review using a self-administered questionnaire.

Potential Biases

Researchers may have been hesitant to acknowledge any failure of project management due to concerns about collegial relationships.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and potential bias due to the researchers' reluctance to criticize project management.

Participant Demographics

The participants included 20 researchers from various institutions, primarily based in Western Australia.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-11-424

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