Limiting and supportive aspects within an interdisciplinary teamwork

Diversity in perspectives can be beneficial or harmful to a good process and solution, as

we have seen. The importance of thorough communication was maybe the most crucial thing that

I learned. We communicated while working and no miscommunication arose until later. A

difference in perspectives can be beneficial or, as we learned the hard way, harmful to a good

process and solution. Perhaps most important step of learning is of clear communication. We

communicated while working, and there was no uncertainty till later. As a result, we believe that

while cross-disciplinarily can achieve wonderful things, our lack of detailed and clear

communication led to misconceptions, resulting in a less-than-ideal approach and outcome.

The success and growth in the scientific field have become vast in the past few decades.

As science grows, specific new displaces are introduced. For any new research, the scientist

studies together from different disciplines. Many scholars think that scientific work should

become more multidisciplinary, as this will help out for better results. (Bridle et al, 2013)

Because multidisciplinary research has grown less prevalent in this field over time, some causes

for the return to disciplinary study have been presented. Interdisciplinary research accesses us in

many ways. If you have knowledge related to one context, you can easily use it within a new

subject or study.

“Embarking on interdisciplinary collaboration is not restricted to a specific career stage.

However, early-career researchers may be particularly motivated to engage in interdisciplinary

through their desire to contribute to societal benefits.” (Bridle et al., 2013)

Interdisciplinary research helps to apply the knowledge to other fields and proves helpful

in brainstorming for a single problem with different aspects. More room for innovation is created
when a legal scholar turns to another discipline in order to get inspiration.” (van Klink &

Taekema, 2008)

Different scientists and researchers have diverse backgrounds of their disciplines, think

and respond to every situation differently. The influence of each field is entirely changed from

the other. “A clear distinction between system theories and decision theories still appears to be

„unavoidable” (van Klink & Taekema, 2008). If research has been conducted for a problem,

every discipline brings solutions slightly or altogether different from others; for instance, the

economist and psychologist will see the same situation differently.

“Interdisciplinary research can be a way for researchers to address this task uncertainty.”

(Raasch et al, 2013). For sure, this is not a simple task. The challenge is not only to think or

convince up to the minute; not only is it challenging to conceive in new ways, but there may be

no clear and fast guidelines for communicating your interdisciplinary work.

“Disciplinary, basic research may be cherished for its cultural merits and the possible

returns on the longer term. Today, however, most university managers and science policy makers

are concerned about enhancing the direct contribution of science to society or the economy.”

(van Rijnsoever & Hessels, 2011)

Interdisciplinary work and studies can study in more ethical ways. As a student, I feel

fortunate to collaborate and work with such an extensive and diverse group. “When concepts and

methods are more or less stabilized, there will be limited room for innovation” (van Klink &

Taekema, 2008)

The researches we conduct help us to get the chance to contact experts from a wide

range of subjects, including history, psychology, science, geology, math, statistics, and history.
 “Recruitment of women might help to increase interdisciplinary activities. Attracting and

keeping enough female scientists in academia is difficult.” (van Rijnsoever & Hessels, 2011).

Whenever the research or students from such field get interested, we lead toward a new idea and

thought to develop a new methodology for any problem. Every encounter with them exposes us

to fresh ideas and ways.

“Various instruments can be used to stimulate interdisciplinary research, not all of which

are of financial nature.” (van Rijnsoever & Hessels, 2011). However, we've discovered that this

is when the power of multidisciplinary study shines brightest. Combining such disparate points

of view is an excellent strategy to spur the development of innovative approaches to all such

problems, which no one even considered by any group or research from a specific field

previously. “We found that the unity of the phenomenon exerts cohesive power, even as

disciplinary faultlines begin to cut across the research field.” (Raasch et al., 2013)

There are also some cons of interdisciplinary research to the researchers and students

with all those benefits. The major disadvantage of interdisciplinary study is that it sometimes

proves difficult to link between various disciplines within the same studies or to the specific

areas of the field. Things sometimes turn out completely aimless, and reliability also gets

compromised.

“One disadvantage of mixed-career stage encounters is that differences in the existing

skills and interests of researchers at different career stages could present a challenge in designing

and delivering an encounter suitable for all attendees.” (Bridle et al, 2013)

Creativity, collaboration, originality, innovation, and new perception, cognition, and

views are all part of interdisciplinary research approaches, which require participants to analyze
and solve problems in ways that aren't rigid or defined. “In the very early stages of a research

field, it is often unclear what other disciplines can contribute in terms of theories and related

prior knowledge.” (Raasch et al., 2013)

“Adopting interdisciplinarity also carries risks, and the institutional structures within

which early-career researchers have to develop may restrict the options available to them.”

(Bridle et al, 2013)

In conclusion, interdisciplinary research is crucial for scientific research development,

and this practice should be promoted to all domains. Accepting an interdisciplinary approach

comes with dangers, and the institutional structures that previous research must work inside may

limit their alternatives.

References:

Bridle, H., Vrieling, A., Cardillo, M., Araya, Y., & Hinojosa, L. (2013). Preparing for an

interdisciplinary future: A perspective from early-career researchers. Futures, 53, 22–32.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2013.09.003

Raasch, C., Lee, V., Spaeth, S., & Herstatt, C. (2013). The rise and fall of interdisciplinary

research: The case of open source innovation. Research Policy, 42(5), 1138–1151.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2013.01.010

van Rijnsoever, F. J., & Hessels, L. K. (2011). Factors associated with disciplinary and

interdisciplinary research collaboration. Research Policy, 40(3), 463–472.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2010.11.001

van Klink, P. D. B., & Taekema, S. (2008). A Dynamic Model of Interdisciplinarity: Limits and

Possibilities of Interdisciplinary Research into Law. SSRN Electronic Journal. Published.

https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1142847