Insiders and outsiders in science: A framework distinguishing investigating and investigated countries in international research collaboration

This study proposes a framework for understanding international collaboration in problem‐oriented research that addresses geographically specific issues through distinguishing between investigating and investigated countries. We employ Merton's insider–outsider theory to categorize authors from the countries under study as insiders and those from outside the studied countries as outsiders. Based on the combinations of their shared perspectives, we develop a typology of five collaboration patterns (CPs)—Internal Perspective (CP1), Combined Perspective (CP2), Expanded Perspective (CP3), Partially Overlapping Perspective (CP4), and External Perspective (CP5). An empirical analysis of research related to “Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty” reveals that CP1 is the most prevalent perspective around this topic. Whereas CP5 has seen a gradual decline, CP2 has risen over the years. A case study on international collaboration in poverty research in African countries reveals significant benefits from outsider involvement, including substantial funding from developed countries, enhanced research productivity on specific topics, as well as higher and broader research impact. However, we suggest being attentive to the potential shaping effect of outsiders on the perspectives and research agendas of insiders, which may complicate internal efforts to develop research topics rooted in the local context and the pursuit of domestic development priorities.