Interdisciplinary Research

Part I. About Interdisciplinary Studies and Disciplines
1. Introducing Interdisciplinary Studies
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Defining Interdisciplinary Studies
The Intellectual Essence of Interdisciplinarity
Distinguishing Interdisciplinarity from Multidisciplinarity, Transdisciplinarity, and Integrative Studies
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
2. Introducing the Disciplines and Their Perspectives
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Defining Disciplinary Perspective
How Knowledge is Typically Reflected in the Organization of the Academy
Categories of Disciplines
Disciplinary Perspectives
Unpacking the Defining Elements of a Discipline's Perspective
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Part II. Drawing on Disciplinary Insights
3. Beginning the Research Process
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
The Integrated Model of Interdisciplinary Research Process
Key Characteristics of Interdisciplinary Research
Step 1: Define the Problem or State the Research Question
Step 2: Justify Using an Interdisciplinary Approach
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
4. Identifying Relevant Disciplines
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Select Potentially Relevant Disciplines
Map the Problem to Reveal Its Disciplinary Parts
Reduce the Number of Potentially Relevant Disciplines to Those That Are Most Relevant
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
5. Conducting the Literature Search
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Meaning of Literature Search
Reasons for Conducting the Literature Search
Special Challenges Confronting Interdisciplinarians
The Initial Literature Search
The Full-Scale Literature Search
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
6. Developing Adequacy in Relevant Disciplines
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
The Meaning of Adequacy
Develop Adequacy in Theories
Develop Adequacy in Disciplinary Methods
Use and Evaluate Disciplinary Methods in Basic Research
Provide In-Text Evidence of Disciplinary Adequacy
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
7. Analyzing the Problems and Evaluating Insights
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Analyze the Problem from Each Discipline's Perspective
Evaluate the Insights Produced by Each Discipline
Checklist for Evaluating Previous Research
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
Part III. Integrating Insights
8. Understanding Integration
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
What Interdisciplinary Integration Is
The Controversy Concerning Integration
Integration in the Broad Model
Questions Raised by This Discussion of Integration
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
9. Identifying Conflicts Between Insights and Their Sources
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Identify Conflicting Insights
Locate Sources of Conflict Between Insights
Communicate Your Research to the Appropriate Audience
Chapter Summary
Exercises
10. Creating Common Ground Between Insights: Concepts and/or Assumptions
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
About Interdisciplinary Common Ground
Create Common Ground Between Conflicting Concepts and/or Assumptions
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
11. Creating Common Ground Between Insights: Theories
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Defining Disciplinary Theory
Models, Variables, Concepts, and Causal Relationships
Create Common Ground Between Theories
When Theories Differ Only Minimally
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
12. Constructing a More Comprehensive Understanding or Theory
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Definition of "More Comprehensive Understanding"
Construct the More Comprehensive Understanding From Modified Concepts and/or Assumptions
Construct a More Comprehensive Theory from Modified Theory
Chapter Summary
Notes
Exercises
13. Reflecting on, Testing, and Communicating the Understanding or Theory
Learning Outcomes
Objectives
Reflect on the More Comprehensive Understanding
Test the Quality of Interdisciplinary Work
Test the More Comprehensive Understanding
Communicate the Results of Integration
Chapter Summary
Note
Exercises
14. Conclusion