Abstract
This paper present collaboration as a fundamental organizational context to investigate our
own professional practice. It analyses its possible advantages: making several people working closely
together raises the energy level, reinforcing the determination for action, collects more resources and
competencies to carry out the tasks and create synergies that allow a deeper reflection and analysis of
problems. The paper discusses forms and participants in the collaboration and distinguishes between collaboration
and cooperation. It considers the development of collaborative research, presenting as key
ideas trust, dialogue and negotiation. Finally, it discusses the problems and difficulties of collaborative
research, notably in the professional field of teaching, pointing the need of knowing how to deal with
unforeseen events, different perspectives and styles of work, cost and benefits and the need of being attentive
regarding self indulgence and conformism.
