Summary on interdisciplinarity
Topic: Interdisciplinarity
by Johanna, 2018 Cohort
Note: This entry was created in 2018, when the task was to “summarise a key reading”, and so may not represent a good example to model current primer entries on.
Interdisciplinary; a fancy word for working together
In this primer, I will focus on the meaning and importance of interdisciplinary research to solve complex problems. Without this kind of research, we will not be able to come up with sufficient solutions. First, a definition of interdisciplinary will be given. After, I will explore why this kind of research is important and how we can use it.
To understand the meaning and importance of interdisciplinary research to solve these complex problems, we need to address the different elements the word is composed of. First, we need a definition for discipline. Discipline research is research in a specific area of study, for example physics or history.[1] Inter, as the other element, stands for interaction and/or integration.[2] When merged together, interdisciplinary research can be defined as research that combines different areas of study. It deals with problems and issues that are the focus of several disciplines.
Discipline research on specific issues can be very detailed and ground-breaking.[3] The disadvantage of discipline studies on the other hand, is that they have a restricted scope: they can only cover some aspects of a complex problem. To achieve solutions for complex problems consisted of multiple areas of study, we need interdisciplinary research. Interdisciplinary research can overcome the limitations of discipline-based research, while the benefits of discipline-based research maintain.[4] Nobel Prize winner Ben Feringa (2016, Chemistry) for example focused on molecular nanomachines in his research. These machines can be seen as tiny little cars that move themselves. Now, medicine and biology come into play: the question is how these cars can be used to get medicine to a certain part in the human body. To get the new method to deliver medicine approved for usage, legal and regulatory experts take the stage. To solve a complex problem like this, researchers from different areas of study need each others expertise. If they do not work together, the problem will probably not be solved at all, or it takes very long to solve it.
Subsequently, through combining and integrating academic research in different areas with practical experience, we get an even broader view. This gives more insight in complex problems and makes it possible to understand and respond to what is not known about these complex problems as well.[5]
Nevertheless, there can be disadvantages to interdisciplinary research. Transaction costs between researchers have to be taken into account. For example: it can be difficult to agree on a common problem statement. This is time consuming (thus costly) and reduces flexibility while new aspects become evident during the research process.[6] If we are able to overcome these disadvantages, interdisciplinary research will be very useful for solving complex problems.
[1] J. Moran, 2010, Interdisciplinarity, p. 2. [2] J. Moran, 2010, Interdisciplinarity, p. 4; A.F. Repko, 2008, Defining Interdisciplinary Studies, p. 4. [3] G. Bammer, 2017, Should we discipline interdisciplinarity?, p. 3. [4] G. Bammer, 2017, Should we discipline interdisciplinarity?, p. 3. [5] G. Bammer, 2017, Should we discipline interdisciplinarity?, p. 6. [6] G. Bammer, 2017, Should we discipline interdisciplinarity?, p. 9.
Disclaimer#
This content has been contributed by a student as part of a learning activity.
If there are inaccuracies, or opportunities for significant improvement on this topic, feedback is welcome on how to improve the resource.
You can improve articles on this topic as a student in "Unravelling Complexity", or by including the amendments in an email to: Chris.Browne@anu.edu.au