Exploring virtual funding committee practices in the allocation of National Institute for Health and Care Research funding: A netnographic study

作者：Amanda Blatch-Jones, Cherish Boxall, Emmanuel Asante, Katie Meadmore · 发表于：medRxiv · 年份：2023 · DOI：10.1101/2023.11.17.23298707 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Health and Medical Research Impacts、scientometrics and bibliometrics research、Conferences and Exhibitions Management

Abstract Objectives Funding committees, comprising members with a range of knowledge, skills, and experience, are considered integral to the decision-making process of funding organisations for recommending or allocating research funding. However, there is limited research investigating the decision-making processes, the role of members and their social interactions during funding committee meetings conducted both virtually and face-to-face. Methods Using a mixed-methods design and following netnography principles, the study observed nine National Institute for Health and Care Research programmes funding committee meetings conducted virtually during October 2020 to December 2021; complemented by interviews with committee chairs and members (18 interviews) and NIHR staff (12 interviews); an online survey (50 responses); and documentary analysis. Personal reflections through immersive journals also formed part of the analysis. Results Three main themes were identified from the observations, interviews, and online survey: efficiency of virtual committee meetings (importance of preparation, and the role of formality, process, and structure); understanding the effect of virtual committee meetings on well-being (effects of fatigue and apprehension, and the importance of work life balance); and, understanding social interactions and engagement (levels of engagement, contribution and inclusivity, awareness of unconscious bias and the value of social networking). Conclusions Examining...