How a Leading Research Organization Used Network Science to Celebrate—and Strengthen—Its Legacy of Collaboration
In 1972, Dr. Maurice Wood and 50 pioneering primary care researchers launched what would become the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG). Half a century later, NAPCRG is not just a research organization—it’s a global community, a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration, and a model of how relationships drive impact.
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, NAPCRG turned inward to explore a deceptively simple question: What has held us together for five decades?
To answer that, they turned to the PARTNER CPRM platform to visualize and analyze their greatest asset: their relationships.
Table of Contents
The Challenge
NAPCRG had long been known for its thriving annual conference and mentorship programs, but the leadership wanted to go deeper. They sought a clearer picture of:
- How members collaborate
- What types of relationships fuel research
- What outcomes emerge from these connections
- And ultimately, how their network structure contributes to the field of primary care
With thousands of members and an evolving international footprint, this was no small task.
The Solution: Mapping a Living History with PARTNER CPRM
Using the PARTNER CPRM tool, NAPCRG invited current and former members to complete a survey capturing who they worked with, how they collaborated, and what came out of those partnerships. The result?
A vivid social network map of 1,721 individuals and over 5,000 relationships—all within a single, interconnected research community.
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Key Findings:
Here are three of the most important findings:
- 60% of relationships were highly integrated, meaning members deeply collaborate across projects and roles.
- 58% of connections led to published research, while 34% led to grant funding—clear indicators of tangible scientific outcomes.
- Relationships often originated elsewhere but were strengthened through NAPCRG, showcasing the network’s role as a catalyst, not just a connector.
The Impact
The study revealed what many NAPCRG members already knew intuitively: relationships drive results. The organization isn’t just a platform for presenting findings—it’s a space where collaborations begin, grow, and deliver real-world impact.
Members credited the organization with helping them:
- Expand their research through co-authorship and funding partnerships
- Find mentors and mentees who shaped their careers
- Stay connected to a supportive community that spans continents and disciplines
In fact, 75% of respondents said NAPCRG was successful or very successful at supporting their work, with knowledge-sharing and diverse stakeholder engagement cited as key success factors.
Why It Matters for the Broader Community
For other networks—especially in public health, social care, and community development—NAPCRG’s story is a powerful reminder that strategic relationships are assets worth measuring.
By using tools like PARTNER CPRM, any collaborative can:
- Identify key players and trusted brokers
- Measure levels of trust and perceived value
- Align collaboration intensity with mission-driven goals
- Visualize how relationships fuel collective outcomes
“You can’t manage what you don’t measure. Understanding the quality of your relationships is the first step toward building a stronger network.”
Looking Ahead
NAPCRG now has a dynamic map of its network—not just as a record of the past 50 years, but as a strategic asset for the future. It’s already sparking new questions: Who are our emerging leaders? Where are our weak ties with high potential? How can we strengthen underconnected nodes?
Their journey proves that network science isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a living strategy for communities that aim to grow, evolve, and leave a lasting impact.
Want to map your network like NAPCRG?
Get started with a free PARTNER CPRM license, or talk to our team about a custom engagement to support your evaluation, strategy, or ecosystem measurement efforts.
