Increasing Research and Evaluation Productivity: Tips for Successful Writing Retreats

Part of the responsibilities of researchers, evaluators, and program planners is ensuring that the results of their studies are disseminated promptly and efficiently. Yet, many, if not most, projects, particularly those involving senior staff, suffer from time constraints and competing demands placed on investigators. In this article, writing retreats are discussed as an innovative strategy for prioritizing research and evaluation, planning publications, and ensuring prompt analysis of data and efficient writing of results. Ten tips are offered for a successful and productive writing retreat: (a) get the buy-in of all investigators, (b) be goal oriented, (c) set tasks to be completed before the retreat, (d) select an environment conducive to writing, (e) prioritize writing, (f) create opportunities for midcourse correction and the mentoring of junior researchers and evaluators, (g) protect the principal investigator's time for writing, (h) ensure adequate and compatible technology, (i) ensure the writers' comfort, and (j) focus on success.