Orchestrating the Development of a Sustainable Network IT Solution for a Research Network: Qualitative Participatory Multimethod Design Background: Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) rely on sustainable and interoperable IT infrastructures to support coordination, data management, and long-term collaboration across geographically distributed primary care practices. Large federated initiatives, such as the German DESAM-ForNet (Initiative of German Practice-Based Research Networks) program, face substantial sociotechnical challenges, as diverse user groups, heterogeneous local systems, and multiple governance levels must align around shared digital solutions. Objective: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a participatory, consensus-driven process for developing a sustainable and interoperable IT solution that supports the coordination of multiple regional PBRNs, and to identify the sociotechnical factors that influence how such a process unfolds. Methods: A qualitative participatory multimethod design combined an iterative consensus-based IT development process in a central working group, interdisciplinary domain-driven design workshops (N=40 stakeholders from 6 PBRNs), and qualitative content analysis of internal documents (2020‐2025). Members of the IT working group were nominated by networks based on IT responsibility and strategic involvement; workshop participants represented general practitioners, study nurses, researchers, and coordinators. Documents (meeting minutes, workshop artifacts, and decision logs) were coded inductively by 2 authors to trace sociotechnical dynamics and decision trajectories. Results: The analysis revealed pronounced differences in IT ambitions, resources, and established practices across the 6 PBRNs (ranging from 2 to 90 person-months), which resulted in divergent expectations and uneven readiness for joint development. This heterogeneity—spanning objectives from simple REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture; Vanderbilt University) databases to comprehensive digitization strategies—necessitated network-specific bounded contexts within a federated architecture. Through iterative development, stakeholders reached consensus on 6 core use cases (base data management, screening or recruitment processes, study or event participation tracking, management of event participation, accreditation procedures, and standardized communication or data exchange) and 2 national proofs-of-concept: quarterly key performance indicator reporting and pseudonymized practice queries based on a shared core dataset. This collaborative process culminated in a 3-tier practice relationship management infrastructure that integrates local autonomy with central metadata management and connectors to the Medical Informatics Initiative and REDCap, and was endorsed by the steering committee as a scalable compromise balancing interoperability and data sovereignty. Conclusions: The study shows that developing a national, interoperable IT infrastructure for PBRNs depends as much on social and organizational alignment as it does on technical solutions. Iterative participatory collaboration, transparent governance, and early stakeholder engagement were essential for building shared understanding and trust. Strengthening these relational and organizational elements will be crucial for sustaining future implementation efforts and fully realizing the potential of federated data infrastructures in primary care research.

JMIR Formative Res: Orchestrating the Development of a Sustainable Network IT Solution for a Research Network: Qualitative Participatory Multimethod Design #SustainableIT #ResearchNetworks #Interoperability #DataManagement #DigitalSolutions

Catch up on stories from around the world, highlighting people and projects connected through research and education networks in the latest In The Field newsletter.

🔗 https://ow.ly/WOnn50YAXHc

#NREN #Research #Education #GlobalCollaboration #ResearchNetworks

Researchers from the University of Technology Sydney are using AARNet’s national network to test a new system called the Network Timing Core designed to improve how trusted time is distributed across the internet.

🔗 https://ow.ly/yjTM50Yutri

#NetworkTiming #DigitalInfrastructure #ResearchNetworks

Research networks play a vital role in connecting people and ideas.

Manage a research network and want your members to be more competitive and more fundable?

📧 training@scriptoria.co.uk
🌐 scriptoria.co.uk

#ResearchNetworks #ResearchImpact #ResearchFunding #ScriptoriaTraining

Highlighting the value of teamwork in scientific advancement, these shared experiences build the trust essential for lasting global partnerships. 🌍👥

#BridgesOfScience
#AcademicPartnerships
#CulturalExchange #GlobalScience #STEM #ResearchNetworks #InternationalPartnerships

🎬 Worth (re)discovering!

Interdisciplinary institutes at #amU play a key role in fostering cross-disciplinary research.

👉 A great overview of these hubs of exchange and innovation including the #ILCB.

youtu.be/Gep8IuFTec4?...

#InterdisciplinaryResearch #ResearchNetworks #Innovation

#NREN of #Chile 🇨🇱 #REUNA, member of #RedCLARA, has opened a new PoP in Punta Arenas, pushing connectivity in Chile over 1300km closer to #Antarctica and boosting global research access.

🔗 https://ow.ly/I9zA50XxRqf

#GlobalResearch #ScientificCollaboration #ResearchNetworks

Final TRACE talk at #ESA2025 Join the conversation about fostering engagement of Puerto Rican students in ecological research!

#ForestWarming #Research #Ecology #Accessibility #ResearchNetworks

✨Snippets from a PhD ✨

#77/? : CCRI
📸 31 January 2025 16:??:??

#phdlife #sgsah #universityofedinburgh #eca #research #academia #performanceart #glancebackglitches #researchnetworks

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Tech issues identified on 13 May 2025 means metadata for #1-138 are lost to the ether.

Impact Assessment Study on Innovation in COST Actions The COST Association has commissioned Technopolis Group with carrying out […]

How do great ideas turn into #Innovation?💡

Commissioned by #COSTAssociation, our qualitative experts and consultants, along with our #DataScience Unit, have conducted an impact assessment to better understand impact pathways that lead to innovation.

Read more👉 bit.ly/3EOszO8

#AI #ResearchNetworks

Thank you, Katherine, for your visit, your thought-provoking keynote, and the enriching dialogue! I’m looking forward to the next steps in our collaboration. 🚀

#CriticalUrbanStudies #LegalGeography #HousingJustice #DebtTrap #ResearchNetworks #AcademicExchange

Dr Katy Wright and Prof Paul Chatterton

Prof Paul Chatterton and Dr Katy Wright are sharing their reflections from the last 12 months of the Remaking Places network - and a look at what they’re planning for the future

#ResearchNetworks