Once identified, the authors quantified each RD’s research
output during the previous year by hand searching conference
proceedings for abstracts, and searching five databases
electronically for journal publications. RDs with a university
webpage had these screened to identify recent active research
grants and doctorate supervision.
Quantification of these research outputs (ie, abstracts, journal
publications, and grants) was used to assign RDs to one of
the four levels of research involvement using specific selection
criteria. RDs with one or more abstracts or publications as
first/middle author were assigned to Level 2 (collaboration);
two or more abstracts or publications as first/last author were
assigned to Level 3 (leading); and three or more abstracts or
publications as first/last author and research grant income
were assigned to Level 4 (leadership). Those not fitting exactly
into a level were excluded following consensus between the
researchers.