CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERS OF RESEARCH GROUPS IN THE FIELD OF COLLECTIVE HEALTH: ANALYSIS OF THE DIRECTORY OF RESEARCH GROUPS IN BRAZIL (DGP/CNPQ) (Atena Editora)

Abstract

The leader of a research group has the function of organizing and integrating the activities developed by the team members. In this descriptive research, we sought to understand the characteristics of the leaders of research groups in the field of public health, according to data registered in the directory of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). Data available until December 2015 were analyzed, totaling 116 research groups. About 72% of leaders are linked to public teaching and research institutions. There was a predominance of 42% of groups located in the Southeast region. Among the leaders, 92.2% have a doctoral degree, and of these, 94.8% were obtained in Brazilian universities. In the period studied (2011 – 2015), the leaders published 1,645 articles, with an average of 329 articles/year. Of this total of published articles, 83.9% occurred in journals indexed in Qualis, with 3.5% published in stratum A1. Despite the record of growth in the area - with the insertion of new Stricto sensu programs and an increase in the number of researchers linked to research groups - there is still an inexpressive scientific production in strata A1 and A2. Thus, it can be concluded that the field of public health is still in the process of consolidation and in search of quality scientific production.