Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this article was to present a model for effective research alliances that facilitate collective action to advance scientific fields. The Parenting and Family Research Alliance (PAFRA) was used as an exemplar to illustrate its application.
Background: Fields of research must continuously evolve to address ever-changing challenges. Despite the need for collaboration toward such evolution, parenting and family intervention researchers often operate within individualistic environments. Research alliances offer a solution by fostering collective action that surpasses individual capabilities.
Method: This article proposed a model for effective research alliances, encompassing inputs, mechanisms, processes, impacts, and outcomes.
Results: Inputs included the organizational bases for collective action, which are supported by mechanisms of collaboration. Processes were the specific activities undertaken toward immediate and intermediate impacts, which are aligned with broader, aspirational outcomes. The PAFRA served as a case exemplar of implementing this model toward furthering the field of evidence-based parenting support.
Conclusion: The proposed model demonstrates how structured collaboration can overcome individualistic research constraints, fostering innovation and translation. Future research should examine how different alliance structures influence sustainability and impact across diverse scientific fields.
Implications: Alliances like PAFRA can bring together previously disconnected actors to drive meaningful advancements in science, policy, and practice, enabling unified responses to the ever-evolving landscape of complex challenges.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.70078