From Laboratories to Collaboratories: A New Organizational Form for Scientific Collaboration

Abstract

This article explores the potential impact of collaboratories on psychology. A collaboratory is a computer-supported system that allows scientists to work with each other, facilities, and databases without regard to geographical location The impact of collaboratories is discussed in terms of changes in the organization and practice of scientific work as this work moves from physical to virtual settings Examination of prototype collaboratories in the physical sciences shows that use of collaboratories produces changes through improved access to scarce resources, support for joint work among distant colleagues, and opportunities for broader participation in research by students Similar results in psychology are predicted if psychologists exploit collaboratories' capabilities to design new ways of conducting research, rather than adopting collaboratory technology as an extension of the status quo.