Abstract
Objective: The aim of the paper is to define views of neuroscientists about research psychiatrists that might be restricting collaborative research. Method: A questionnaire was distributed to all members of the Australian Neuroscience Society. Forty-nine questionnaires were returned, and both quantitative and qualitative analyses undertaken.
Results: Neuroscientists rated research psychiatrists as “poor scientists” in having limited scientific training, being loose methodologists and in tending to cut corners, but also viewed research psychiatrists as addressing domains that generate harder research questions. Several factors inhibiting and promoting collaboration between neuroscientists and research psychiatrists were elicited.
Conclusions: If collaborative links involving neuroscientists and research psychiatrists are to be enhanced, research psychiatrists will need to address and redress views about perceived limitations of their scientific competence.