The book traces collaborative research's historical roots, examining case studies across genetics, physics, and materials science.
It emphasizes the role of shared facilities like particle accelerators in fostering interdisciplinary work.
Moreover, it presents evidence from research journals, analyzing citation data and co-authorship networks to quantify the impact of collaborative versus solo research.
The book culminates by assessing the current state of collaborative research and speculating on future trends, addressing the practical implications for researchers, funding bodies, and policymakers.