Characteristics of the successful researcher and implications for faculty development.

To understand better the role of faculty development in training family medicine researchers, the authors examined in a comprehensive literature review the characteristics of productive researchers, their training, and their work environment. Areas reviewed were faculty development and evaluation, career development, professional socialization, organizational development, and faculty vitality in higher education, medicine, and corporate research and development. Findings reveal that, besides prerequisite knowledge and skills in a research area, successful researchers have academic values and attitudes derived from specific socialization experiences. They also receive meaningful support from their organization, mentors, and peers.